Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation Government Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation Constitution 14th Amendment

Declaration of Independence Colonists grievances against GB Written primarily by Jefferson Adopted July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence Enlightenment Influence Hobbes – state of nature Rousseau – Social Contract de Montesquieu – separation of powers Locke Hobbes – wrote Leviathan; man primal; must create social contract w/govt to live in civil society Rousseau – legitimate state of authority derived from consent of governed Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence John Locke Natural Rights Consent of the Governed/Popular Sovereignty Limited Govt “life, liberty, and property” Natural rights – opposite of divine right theory (absolute rulers of Europe); rights inherent in human beings; not dependent on govt Consent of governed – govt derives authority by sanction of people; state’s legitimacy created by consent of governed Limited Govt – restrictions should be placed on govt to protect natural rights of citizens Declaration of Independence

Articles of Confederation Overview First document to govern US Adopted 1777, ratified in 1781 Confederate govt – “league of friendship and perpetual union” Strengths Permanent union of states Congress established Decentralization – assured no recreation of GB Expanded middle class; not all power w/elite Spread of equality and democratic ideals After Revolution power/economic shift in state legislatures from wealthy to middle class (landowners, farmers, merchants) Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses Congress few powers No power to tax No power to raise military No interstate commerce or common currency No Prez or national court system Power in states Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation Aborted Annapolis Meeting Attempt to change AoC September 1786 Only 12 delegates from 5 states Called for meeting in May 1787 to further discuss changes - Constitutional Convention Articles of Confederation

Constitution Attendees Enlightenment Comes to Life 55 men from 12 of 13 states Wealthy planters & merchants College graduates with some political experience From coastal areas & larger cities (not rural) Enlightenment Comes to Life Important ideas Economics (main) Human nature Preservation of property Equality (slavery; 3/5 Compromise) Individual rights Post Rev War depression major economic concentration Constitution

Constitution Political & Voting Equality Left to States Equality of Representation New Jersey Plan—equal representation in states Virginia Plan—population-based representation Connecticut Compromise (the Great Compromise) Constitution

Constitution Individual Rights Written into Constitution Suspension of writ of habeas corpus No bills of attainder No ex post facto laws Religious qualifications for holding office prohibited Strict rules of evidence for conviction of treason Right to trial by jury in criminal cases Individual Rights Not Specified Freedom of speech and expression Rights of the accused Constitution

Which of these was NOT among John Lockeʹs key philosophical concepts? A) limited government B) natural rights C) consent of the governed D) property rights E) checks and balances Answer: E Question #1

Under the Articles of Confederation, most power rested with the A) the British Parliament. B) president. C) United States Senate. D) state legislatures. E) Continental Congress. Answer: D Question #2

Which of the following was NOT a problem with the national government under the Articles of Confederation? A) the threat of some of the Continental Army to establish George Washington as king B) the lack of power given to state legislatures C) the lack of an executive to lead the nation D) the inability of the central national government to regulate foreign trade or regulate the national economy E) the unwillingness of the states to send money requisitioned by the central national government Answer: B Question #3

Most of the delegates at the Constitutional Convention regarded what as the greatest threat to government? A) factions B) kings C) slaves D) foreign adversaries E) charismatic leaders Answer: A Question #4

The Connecticut Compromise at the Constitutional Convention A) resolved the impasse between those who favored the New Jersey Plan and those who preferred the Virginia Plan. B) added the Bill of Rights to the Constitution in order to lessen concerns about too much power for the new government. C) settled the dispute over whether slavery should be allowed in the final constitution. D) threw out the idea of having a monarchy in the United States, opting instead for an indirectly elected president. E) involved all of these elements Answer: A Question #5