Compare What two principles were common to state constitutions written during the Revolutionary War

Answer 1

During the Revolutionary War, several state constitutions were drafted, and two principles that were commonly found in these documents were:

1. Popular Sovereignty: This principle emphasized that the authority of the government derives from the consent of the governed. State constitutions often reflected the idea that the power rests with the people, and they had the right to elect their representatives and influence governance. This concept was a direct challenge to monarchy and tyranny and underscored the belief in self-governance.

2. Separation of Powers: Many state constitutions established a framework to prevent the concentration of power by dividing governmental responsibilities among different branches—typically the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This principle aimed to create a system of checks and balances, ensuring that no single branch could dominate governance and that each branch could limit the powers of the others.

These principles were foundational in shaping democratic governance and reflected the colonies' desire to create just and representative systems of government following their break from British rule.