Foundation of Government in America Articles of Confederation and the Constitution

Articles of Confederation A loose association of states

Weaknesses of the Confederation Adopted in 1781 Weak central government No ability to tax Cannot regulate commerce Can establish treaties, post office, and currency Every state has one vote

Events Leading to a New Constitution Border disputes among states Disagreements between states Treaty violations of Great Britain Barbary Pirates effect trade Shay’s Rebellion Annapolis Convention Agreement for another convention

Constitutional Convention Philadelphia meeting of delegates Meet in secret George Washington made president of the convention Virginia Plan & New Jersey Plan Compromises Federalists and Anti-Federalists

The Constitution Federalism Government based on written document Bill of Rights Supreme Law of the Land Oldest constitution in the world Based on Enlightenment ideas of Locke, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire

“We the people” Article One provides for: Legislative Branch of government Congress power and authority Elastic clause States remain sovereign in some matters Powers denied federal and state government Taxes Ability to conduct war

Article II Executive Branch Terms of office Elections Salaries Oath of office Powers of the president Ability to make treaties and appointments

Article Three Judicial Branch Federal Courts Jurisdiction Supreme Court Jury Trials

Article IV Explains the powers of the state Mutual duties and privileges Extradition Fugitive slave clause New states and territories Federal protection for states Amending process

Article V National Supremacy Public debts and treaties Supreme law Oaths of Office

Article VI Ratification of the constitution Signing of the delegates Bill of Rights necessary and promised by Federalists to secure final ratification of the constitution

Bill of Rights Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly Right to bear arms Quartering of troops Search and seizures Rights of accused persons Right to a speedy trial Civil suits

Bill of Rights Bail and punishment Powers reserved to the people (the people’s rights are not limited to those mentioned in the written document) Powers reserved to the state (protects the states and the people from a too powerful central government/ a check on the necessary and proper clause in Article I)