• Each state had it's own constitution because they had different needs

• Example: Pennsylvania did not need voters to own property.

• Example: South Carolina said voters needed 50 acres of land and could not be part of the Church of England

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1.State Constitutions

• Example: Delaware's constitution had the General Assembly where they had representatives from each county. The leader was called the chief magistrate.

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1.State Constitutions

• Wanted to be different from England with how they ruled

• Each state should have a say in government

• No king or queens (no more monarchy)

• Needed the U.S. Constitution to make laws and choices.

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2.Writing the U.S. Constitution

• George Mason wrote Virginia's Declaration of rights

• Magna Carta (1215) stated that free men should be given fair trials.

• Ideas from both documents were used to write the Declaration of Independence

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3.Inspiring the Constitution

1. ​Legislative

2. Executive

3. Judicial

• These 3 branches were created as a separation of powers.

• There is a balance of power

• "Checks and balances"

4.Separation of Powers

​The three branches of government provide a separation of powers so that there can be no more monarchy (kings or queens)