Origins of the Constitution

Beginnings of Democracy Magna Carta – a freeman can’t be imprisoned or lose his property (habeas corpus), in any way without a trial by his peers or by the law of the land. Petition of Right - Can’t levy troops in private homes, taxes can only be levied by parliament, prisoners can challenge their detention by rite of habeas corpus and no martial law during peacetime.

English Bill of Rights – no standing army in peacetime without parliament’s consent, no cruel and unusual punishment, right to a fair trial, no excessive bail, right to petition the king, freedom of speech and debate, parliament’s affairs can’t be interfered with by the king, freedom from taxation by royal prerogative, freedom for Protestants to have arms in their homes for self defense that were suitable to their class

Three types of colonial charters Royal – Bicameral legislature Proprietary – Unicameral “Charter”

Road to Independent Government New England Confederation – New England colonies banded together for protection against Native Americans. Albany Plan of Union – proposed by Ben Franklin to create a “Congress” with delegates that met. Purpose was to have the colonies be able to defend themselves against the Native Americans as well as create/regulate trade with them. Stamp Act Congress – 8 colonies banded together to write a protest against the Stamp Act of 1765 and send it to the king (Taxation without representation). As resistance (boycotts and mobs) grew throughout the colonies, the Committees of Correspondence formed (by Sam Adams). Groups of those resistant to English policies that formed throughout the colonies. They exchanged information and cooperated with each other.

1 st Continental Congress Created in Philadelphia in 1774 to protest the Intolerable Acts. Sent the “Declaration of Rights” to London to protest which protested the colonial policies and taxes to King George III Created a boycott on all trade with England + created groups to enforce it. Decided to call a 2 nd Congress the following May

2 nd Continental Congress Now with the revolt begun the new congress created an army, became the 1 st national government, fought a war for six years and created the Declaration of Independence

Articles of Confederation Congress was the only thing created by it Unicameral body Delegates get chosen yearly by the states Each state had 1 vote Judicial and executive duties handled by committees of the congress One leader was chosen each year

Powers of the Articles Congress 1.War and peace 2.Ambassadors 3.Make treaties 4.Borrow money 5.Create a monetary system 6.Create post offices 7.Build a navy 8.Ask the states for troops to create an army 9.Fix a uniform standard for weights and measures 10.Referee between the states

Mount Vernon & Annapolis Weaknesses in the Articles amounted and between the states. Creating their own money, taxing each other, separate treaties Shay’s Rebellion!!! Maryland & Virginia began to settle their problems on their own by meeting in Alexandria, Virginia then moving it to Mt. Vernon at Washington’s invitation.