1. Articles of Confederation
1.1. 1st American constitution,created loose alliance of states
1.2. Strengths:
1.2.1. Congress can declare war,appoint officers,coin money,responsible for foreign affair
1.3. Continental Congress:
1.3.1. 1 branch of gov,states 1 vote, 9/13 to approve
1.4. Weakness:
1.4.1. limit central power,fear of repetition of British rule
1.5. Congress power limited:
1.5.1. can't tax,no 1 to ensure laws were followed,can't resolve conflicts,countries can take control
1.6. Settling in Western Lands
1.6.1. Land Ordinance of 1785
1.6.1.1. settling the Northwest Territory&1 section set aside for public schools
1.6.2. Northwest Ordinance
1.6.2.1. gave basic rights/60,000=new state
1.7. Depression
1.7.1. Shay's Rebellion(Daniel Shay) 1786
1.7.1.1. Raised taxes/peeps can't pay taxes/Rights were taken
1.7.1.2. attacked courthouse to prevent seizing homes
1.7.1.3. A of C not working
2. Bill of Rights
2.1. Federalist
2.1.1. Favored Constitution w/o it
2.1.2. Federalist Papers: to defend Constitution
2.2. Anti federalist
2.2.1. Wants it to be added on Constitution
2.3. James Madison
2.3.1. proposed 12 amendments
2.3.1.1. 3/4 of the states ratified 10 amendments
2.4. To protect natural rights not to create rights
3. Constitutional Convention
3.1. Virginia Plan
3.1.1. strong gov. w/ 3 branches
3.1.2. two houses& larger states gets more reps.
3.2. NJ Plan
3.2.1. 3 branches w/ 1 house& 1 vote per state
3.3. Great Compromise(Robert Sherman)
3.3.1. Favored by both larger/small states
3.3.2. 2 house legislative
3.4. Three Fifths Compromise
3.4.1. 3/5 of the slaves in a state would be counted in the population
3.5. goal to revise the A of C
4. Influences
4.1. Roman Republic
4.1.1. signed opinions w/ Roman names
4.1.2. keep citizens independent/loyal
4.1.3. not stumble w/ luxury/comfort more than freedom
4.2. British Freedom/Tradition
4.2.1. Magna Carta
4.2.1.1. Laws/rights included errbody including leader/king
4.2.2. not allowed to raise taxes w/o consulting someone
4.2.3. Rights include:
4.2.3.1. habeas corpus/trial by jury/can carry weapons/elections held
4.3. American Experience
4.3.1. Relied on written doc/make Commander of Chief of Army/Navy
4.4. Enlightenment
4.4.1. John Locke
4.4.1.1. Protect Life,Liberty,Property(if not,can revolt)
4.4.2. Baron de Montesquieu
4.4.2.1. Separation of Powers(idea of Republic)
4.4.3. Rousseau
4.4.3.1. Social Contract, citizens give up some freedom=gov. protect their right to life