“In 1787, Delaware became the first state to approve the Constitution. Its motto, "Liberty and Independence," names the rights the states wished to keep when they became part of the nation. The name, "United States of America," means a group of states joined by the rule of the federal government in Washington, D.C. The individual states share the same goals and ideals. Although the fifty state governments are alike in many ways, each state has some rules that are different. Each state also gives smaller areas in the state, such as cities and counties, the power to rule themselves.”
Questions to think about in this chapter:
1. To explain the process Congress uses for admitting new states
2. To describe ways territories and states different
3. To Identify ways state governments are similar to the federal government
4. To explain how states obtain and spend money
5. To identify branches of state government and describe their responsibilities