How did state constitutions lay the groundwork for the U. S. Constitution?

Along with Articles of Confederation, each of the 13 states needed a constitution; England had no formal written constitutions, had to make from scratch; Written principles, included popular sovereignty, limited govt, rule of law, and majority rule, separation of powers; each state constitution began with statement of individual rights (virginia's was model for Bill of Rights)

Articles of Confederation was the rough draft for our Constitution, and it gave all power mostly to the states.