Final answer:
The people in each territory wrote a constitution primarily because they needed laws upon which to base their government, which were influenced by the British system and expanded citizen participation in governance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The people in each territory wrote a constitution primarily because b. they needed laws on which to base their government. Upon the colonies' Declaration of Independence from Great Britain, the need for new constitutions became apparent. The Continental Congress had earlier encouraged the formation of new state constitutions as an essential part of the move toward independence, even before the Declaration itself. This process was about establishing an orderly form of government that would help maintain order, tax citizens, staff the militia, ensure public safety, and guarantee rights.
With the foundations of new republican governments, these state constitutions often started with bills or declarations of rights, emphasizing the importance of securing and protecting the liberties of citizens. These state constitutions provided the framework for governance that aligned with the principles outlined in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution, aiming to create a 'more perfect union' that balanced the power of the central government with the rights of the states.
Most states adopted constitutions that were modeled on the British system, yet they expanded the electorate and gave the people a greater say in their government. This resulted in a shift of responsibilities and powers to the local governments, found in the Articles of Confederation and later refined in the U.S. Constitution.