Ch 26: The Evolution of National & State Governments
About This Chapter
The Evolution of National & State Governments - Chapter Summary
In this chapter on the evolution of national and state governments, brief lessons cover topics such as creation of the U.S. Constitution and what Charles Beard thought about America's Founding Fathers. Additionally, you can learn about the Constitution's first ten amendments. Upon completion of the chapter, you should be able to do the following:
- Discuss how early state constitutions were drafted
- Recount the U.S. government's struggle to create a new independent nation
- Explain what the Great Compromise accomplished
- Detail why some people wanted to ratify the U.S. Constitution
- Discuss components of the U.S. Constitution
- Explain the importance of the Bill of Rights
- Recall Charles Beard's interpretation of the U.S. Constitution
Our instructors provide helpful illustrations and animations to assist you with understanding the ideas presented. A brief quiz is available with each lesson to test you on the evolution of national and state governments, and you can also contact our instructors with any questions.
1. Creating State Constitutions After the American Revolution
After the revolution, the states had to figure out what the rule of the people would be like. The early state constitutions and how they were drafted would inform the process and the resulting document that would become the U.S. Constitution.
2. The Articles of Confederation, the Northwest Ordinance & Shays' Rebellion
In this lesson you will explore some of the issues faced by the government of the United States as it struggled to create a new, independent nation. Then, test your understanding with a brief quiz.
3. The Constitutional Convention: The Great Compromise
The Constitutional Convention was intended to amend the Articles of Confederation. Instead, those in attendance set out to found a republic (the likes of which had never been seen), which is still going strong well over 200 years later. To accomplish this task, compromises had to be made. The Great Compromise designed the bicameral congress the U.S. has today.
4. The Ratification of the Constitution and the New U.S. Government
The U.S. Constitution may be one of the most important documents in history, but it wasn't a sure thing. A lot of debate took place. There were many people passionate about ratification, and many people passionate about ensuring it didn't get ratified. The divide over the Constitution shows us the root of political parties in the U.S.
5. The US Constitution: Preamble, Articles and Amendments
The U.S. Constitution is one of the most important documents in history. It establishes the government of the United States, and its first ten amendments, the Bill of Rights, assures every U.S. citizen the rights we have all come to hold dear.
6. The Bill of Rights: The Constitution's First 10 Amendments
The Bill of Rights was pivotal in getting the U.S. Constitution ratified. More importantly, the Bill of Rights guarantees the rights of every citizen of the United States in a way that is nearly unequaled.
7. Creation of the U.S. Constitution: Charles Beard's Interpretation
In this lesson, we examine Charles Beard's interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. We'll learn who Charles Beard was and what he thought about America's Founding Fathers and the U.S. Constitution.
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Other Chapters
Other chapters within the NES Social Science (303): Practice & Study Guide course
- Reading & Research Skills
- Historiography & World History
- Early Civilizations in Egypt, Mesopotamia & the Near East
- The Legacy of Ancient Greece & Rome
- Ancient India & China
- Ancient Japan & Southeast Asia
- Overview of Global Religions
- Early Civilizations in Africa & the Americas
- The Spread of Islam & The Byzantine Empire
- Europe after the Decline of the Roman Empire
- The European Renaissance & Protestant Reformation
- European Expansion from 1450-1650
- The Scientific Revolution & the European Enlightenment
- Major Revolutions Around the World
- Industrialization in Europe
- Major Political Developments from 1350-1871
- Impacts of European Imperialism
- Causes & Consequences of World War I
- Causes & Consequences of World War II
- Causes & Consequences of the Cold War
- Developments in East Asia, Latin America, Africa & the Middle East since 1945
- Changes in Europe after World War II
- Contemporary Global Challenges
- The Precontact Period & Settling North America
- Causes & Consequences of the American Revolution
- Major Figures in U.S. History from the Precontact Period-1789
- Political & Constitutional Developments from 1789-1877
- Westward Expansion, Economic Growth & U.S. Foreign Relations from 1789-1877
- Major Antebellum Reform Movements & Key Reformers
- Sectionalism & the American Civil War
- The Reconstruction Period
- Settlement of the Trans-Mississippi West
- The Growth of the Industrial Economy in the U.S.
- The American Progressive Era
- American Imperialism & Rise to International Power
- The 1920s in the U.S.
- Causes & Effects of the Great Depression
- U.S. Foreign Policy since World War II
- Major U.S. Political Events & Developments since 1945
- U.S. Economic Developments since 1946
- Major U.S. Social Developments since 1945
- Major Social & Political U.S. Movements During the Postwar Period
- Basic Geographic Terms & Concepts
- Geographic Reference Sources, Tools & Technologies
- Characteristics of World Geography
- Physical Features of the Earth
- Elements of Weather & Climate
- Natural Resources Around the World
- Human Societies & the Environment
- Current Environmental Problems
- Characteristics of Human Systems
- Basic Political Science Terms & Concepts
- Political Theorists & Figures in Political Science
- Systems of Government
- Comparison of Political Systems
- Key Political Documents
- Significance of Landmark U.S. Supreme Court Decisions
- U.S. Electoral System & Political Process Participation
- U.S. Citizenship Rights & Responsibilities
- Levels of U.S. Government
- Law-Making Processes & U.S. Foreign Policy
- Basic Economic Terms & Concepts
- Microeconomics Concepts & Laws
- Interpreting Economic Information
- Operation of Business Firms
- Fundamentals of Consumer Economics
- Fundamentals of Personal Finance
- Economic Institutions & Groups
- Unemployment, Inflation & Deflation
- NES Social Science Flashcards
