Many of the former colonies wrote new state constitutions. A constitution is a document setting up the organization, principles, and processes of a government. Most new state governments consisted of a legislature, the lawmaking body elected by the people, and an executive, usually a governor, to carry outlaws

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In most states, white men 21 years or older could vote if they owned some property, but women and African Americans were usually not allowed to vote. Virginia was the first state to have a bill of rights, a list of essential freedoms that the government is required to respect.​

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​The Continental Congress created the Articles of Confederation in 1777. This plan created a new national government, but left most of the power with the states. Made up of one representative from each state, the national government, or Congress, could pass laws, deal with foreign nations, sign treaties, coin money, and run a post office.

Congress could not collect taxes, so it could not pay its debts. States refused to use the currency it printed. Congress could not settle the disputes that arose between states over the territory west of the Appalachians.

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