1. 1781-1789 AKA “Articles of Confusion”
Articles of Confederation
AKA “Articles of Confusion”

2. Articles of Confederation
U.S.’s 1st written constitution.
Written by John Dickinson from the 2nd Continental Congress.
Influenced by the Iroquois and their confederacy.

3. Articles of Confederation
After a king – the Articles reflected the colonist’s fear of a strong central government.
Gave the states all the power.
Summary: Weak national government, strong state government.
STATES > FEDERAL

4. Articles of Confederation
Articles set up a firm league of friendship among the 13 states.
States did their own thing while the Federal government did very little.
United States of America? OR
Separate States of America!

5. Articles of Confederation
Government:
It could:
Regulate weights and measures
Create Post Offices
Coin and Borrow Money
Direct Foreign Affairs
Declare War / Make Peace
Build and Equip a Navy
Ask States to Provide Recruits & Money for an Army

6. No Enforcement? NO CHIEF EXECUTIVE!
Articles were purposely designed NOT to have an executive as part of a strong central government.
Right away the Articles weren’t working:
“Separate States of America”

7. No Taxation/Regulation?
No Federal Taxation
The AOC could ask for tax money from the states, but the states were not required to provide income.
No Regulation of Trade
The AOC could not prevent trade wars between states.
“Separate States of America”

8. Congressional Supermajority?
The Federal Congress was comprised uni-cameral.
In order pass new laws, it needed 9 out of 13 states to agree.
In order to change the original constitution, the vote had to be unanimous.

9. Achievements Under the Articles
A good start for a new nation.
Successfully ended the Revolutionary War (Treaty of Paris).
Land Ordinance of 1785.
Set up the process for territories to become new states and join the Union.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787.
Prohibited slavery in all of the lands of the Northwest Territory.

10. Preamble to Constitution
to the U.S.
Constitution
Preamble to Constitution

11. Preamble to Constitution
What is a preamble?
A preliminary statement, especially the introduction to a formal document that serves to explain its purpose

12. Preamble to Constitution
Read the Preamble. What are the FIVE goals identified in the Preamble to the Constitution?

13. Preamble to the Constitution
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

14. The Preamble to the United States Constitution
Main Idea
What is a Preamble?
Details
Main Idea
To establish justice
Details
Main Idea
To insure domestic tranquility
Details
A brief statement of goals prior to an important document
Make & enforce laws, Police, Court System, Bill of Rights, Jury
Police & Armed Forces, Laws, Prisons, Nat’l Guard
Main Idea
To provide for the common defense
Details
To promote the general welfare
To secure the blessings of liberty
Police & Armed Forces, Laws, Prisons, Nat’l Guard, NSA, TSA, CIA, Volunteers
Govt. Assistance, Public Education, Federal, State, Local Services, Taxes, Minority Rights
Voting, Limited Govt., Bill of Rights, Law Enforcement

15. Look at the Structure of the Constitution

17. Congress
States

19. Look at the Bill of Rights
Classwork
Look at the Bill of Rights

20. Amendment #2: guarantees the limited right to bear arms.
The Bill of Rights
Amendment #1: guarantees freedom of religion, speech, press, expression; peaceable assembly, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Amendment #2: guarantees the limited right to bear arms.
Amendment #3: no one can be forced to house soldiers in time of peace.

21. Amendment #4: protects the people against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Amendment #5: protects people from being held for trial without a Grand Jury indictment, and being tried twice for the same crime; that no one can be forced to give evidence against himself; protects property rights and requires the federal government to follow “due process of law” in taking one’s life, liberty, or property (eminent domain).
Amendment #6: guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury and to be informed of the crime; to confront witnesses, and to have lawyer.

22. Amendment #7: guarantees the right to trial by jury in civil cases.
Amendment #8: bars excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishments.
Amendment #9: the rights of the people are not limited to the first eight amendments.
Amendment #10: powers not given directly to the federal government are reserved to the States or to the people.

23. Amendment #14: All persons born in the U.S. are citizens
no state can make or enforce any law which shall take away the privileges or immunities of the citizens;
nor deprive any U.S. citizens of life, liberty, or property without due process of law;
nor deny to any person the equal protection of the law.