Final answer:
Americans demonstrated their mistrust of power by incorporating several key elements into the state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation, such as separation of powers, checks and balances, term limits, declaration of rights, state sovereignty, unicameral legislatures, popular sovereignty, and amendability.
Step-by-step explanation:
After declaring independence from Great Britain, Americans demonstrated their mistrust of power by incorporating several key elements into the state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation. Here are eight ways they demonstrated their mistrust:
- Separation of powers: The constitutions and the Articles of Confederation divided power among different branches of government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
- Checks and balances: Each branch of government had the ability to limit the powers of the other branches, ensuring that no one branch could abuse its authority.
- Term limits: Many state constitutions imposed limits on the length of time an individual could hold office, preventing the consolidation of power.
- Declaration of rights: Most state constitutions included a bill or declaration of rights to protect the individual liberties of the citizens.
- State sovereignty: The state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation emphasized the authority and independence of the states, limiting the power of the national government.
- Unicameral legislatures: Some states adopted a single-chamber legislature, which was seen as a more democratic and less powerful form of government.
- Popular sovereignty: The state constitutions declared that the ultimate source of political power resided in the people, not in the government.
- Amendability: The state constitutions and the Articles of Confederation included mechanisms for amending or revising the document to adapt to changing circumstances, reflecting a belief in the need for flexibility and the potential for abuse of power.