Lesson Purpose
When the American colonies became independent from Great Britain, they needed new governments. Colonial leaders set about writing constitutions for their new states. In this lesson, you will learn about the new state governments.
Lesson Objectives
When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to explain
- some important ideas used in the state constitutions and
- how the state constitutions protected the rights of citizens.
Lesson Terms
bill of rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution. It lists some basic rights of the people that the federal government may not interfere with and must protect.
checks and balances
executive branch
higher law
judicial branch
legislative branch
separation of powers
