Civics Today: Citizenship, Economics & You © 2008

Chapter 12: Roots of Government in North Carolina

Chapter Overviews

North Carolina's state and local governments developed from the state's foundation as an English colony. When English colonists began settling here, they set up their own form of government. When Great Britain began to restrict the rights of the English colonists, North Carolina took the lead in asserting the colonists' right to govern themselves. A constitution for the state of North Carolina was a priority after the United States declared independence from Great Britain. North Carolina's first constitution was adopted on December 18, 1776.

The Constitution of North Carolina is the state's fundamental law. It establishes the principles of popular sovereignty and the principle of limited government. According to both principles, the people are the ultimate source of governmental authority. The Constitution further limits the power of government through separation of powers and checks and balances.

The Constitution also protects the civil rights and liberties of its citizens. Article I, the Declaration of Rights, includes 25 guarantees of freedom. The amendment process provides a way for the Constitution of North Carolina to respond to changing times.