Early state constitutions favored legislatures because governors embodied British rule

Evidence

Early constitutions, as mentioned, slighted the executive; they gave the lion’s share of power to the legislature. This seemed natural. The colonial governor—​ and the judiciary, to a certain extent—​represented British domination. Local assemblies, on the other hand, seemed to be the voice of the people. — Lawrence M. Friedman, A History of American Law, 668

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: State governments shifted power from legislatures to executives and courts over time — Lawrence M. Friedman, A History of American Law, 668; British colonial rule operated through law rather than direct despotism — David Theo Goldberg, The Racial State, 70; Early Americans identified with their states more than with the national government — Lawrence M. Friedman and Grant M. Hayden, American Law: An Introduction, 643 (+1 more)

Broader Connections

• State governments shifted power from legislatures to executives and courts over time #expands (0.75) — Lawrence M. Friedman, A History of American Law, 668
• Early Americans identified with their states more than with the national government #corroborates (0.75) — Lawrence M. Friedman and Grant M. Hayden, American Law, 643
• The legislative power’s location determines a government’s entire form #expands (0.75) — John Locke, Second Treatise of Government, 159
• British colonial rule operated through law rather than direct despotism #complicates (0.72) — David Theo Goldberg, The Racial State, 70