Find the main idea and 2 supporting ideas: The states took other measures against concentration of power. They divided government functions between the executive (governors or council) and the legislature. Most states established bicameral, or two-house, legislatures to divide the power even further.
The writers of the constitutions not only wanted to prevent abuses of power in the states,
but they also wanted to keep power in the hands of the people. State legislators were popularly elected, and elections were often. In most states, only white males who were at least 21 years old could vote. These citizens also had to own a certain amount of property or pay a certain amount of taxes. Some states allowed free African American males to vote. The state constitutions restricted the powers of the governors, which made the legislatures the most powerful branches of government. The state legislatures struggled to make taxes fairer,
but there were many disagreements. Going from dependent colonies to self-governing states brought new challenges.