Final answer:
Power in the first state constitutions primarily resided in the state legislatures, which were designed to limit the powers of the governor and ensure a balance to prevent an 'elected monarchy.' State sovereignty was key, with a focus on independent branches of government to avoid abuses of power. The Articles of Confederation and later the U.S. Constitution defined the dynamic between state and federal power, with the Tenth Amendment confirming states' reserved powers.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the first state constitutions, power primarily rested in the hands of the state legislatures. After the Declaration of Independence, the thirteen states shaped new governments, with a focus on preventing too much power from consolidating in any one branch, particularly the executive. Most state constitutions were designed to elect governors through the legislature rather than directly by the people, limit the number of terms a governor could serve, and curb the governor's patronage powers.
These measures were taken to ensure that the executive would remain beholden to the legislature, rather than developing an independent base of power that could lead to an 'elected monarchy.' The arrangement of government during this time clearly reflected the preference for state sovereignty and the delineation of powers to prevent the abuse of power by any single branch of government.
The Articles of Confederation initially governed the United States but provided for a weak central government with limited authority, mainly in areas such as national defense. The subsequent U.S. Constitution sought a balance by creating a stronger federal government while still ensuring that states retained many important powers. Powers not expressly delegated to the national government, nor prohibited by the Constitution to the states, were reserved for the states. This was later affirmed in the Tenth Amendment.