Question

Why were state constitutions necessary following the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 1

When the United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776, the states were operating under old colonial charters. The colonies thought of themselves as separate, semi-sovereign entities, and viewed state government as more important than a national government. They needed state constitutions to establish a government in each state.

Answer 2

Once the independence of the United States was dictated, it was necessary to create the first laws that would enshrine the sovereignty of the nation and make it applicable in the different states. As a consequence of this need, the different states were enacting their own state constitutions, with Massachusetts being the first in 1780.

These constitutions enshrined within each state the founding principles of the nation, that is, equality, freedom and justice, and the sovereignty of the federal government in the territories of the states.