Moving Towards a Republic - 6/15/25

Republic

A system of government where people choose leaders by voting; gives everyone a voice

Voting Requirements

Early U.S. voters had to be male, 21 or older, pay taxes, and own property

State Governments

After 1783, each state wrote its own constitution and created a local government

Governors and Legislatures

States chose governors and law-making groups to make and pass laws

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government plan; gave most power to states, federal gov was weak

Voting Limitations

Only certain men could vote; many groups like women and poor people were excluded

Philadelphia

First U.S. capital; where the Continental Congress met and Declaration was signed

Capital Concerns

People feared a capital in one state would give that state too much control

Capital Moves

The U.S. capital moved 9 times (NYC, Baltimore, etc.) before a final location was chosen

Washington D.C.

Became the permanent capital in 1800, built in a district not part of any state

Why D.C. Matters

Placing the capital outside all states helped balance power between them