1. Creating A Republic
The War is Won… Now What?

2. Key Terms
Constitution- A document that outlines how government will run
Bill Of Rights- Lists the freedoms that the government promises to protect
Articles of Confederation- Creates a loose alliance of the colonies
Legislative Branch- Makes the Laws
Executive Branch- Enforces the Laws
Judicial Branch- Makes sure that laws are constitutional

3. Key Terms Republic- A government in which citizens rule themselves
Habeas Corpus- No person shall be held in prison without being charged with a crime

4. Confederation State v. Nation
Most of the new states wrote their own constitutions
They all had different rules and ideas
Some included a bill of rights
They created legislatures elected by the people
In most states only white men over the age of 21 who owned a certain amount of property and paid a certain amount of taxes could vote
New Jersey briefly allowed women to vote if they met the requirements
The continental congress was planning for the nation as a whole

5. State v. Nation
Most people felt loyal to their own state as opposed to the nation as a whole
People also feared that a national government would bring tyranny like Great Britain had
The Articles of Confederation were approved in 1777
Limited Powers
Federal powers were less than state powers
Congress could declare war, appoint military officers and coin money
Congress could not regulate trade, tax the states and had to get state approval for laws

6. Weakness of the Confederation
Conflicts between states threatened the union
Congress had no power to stop them
The United States owed millions to individuals and governments thanks to the war
The dollar had no value as it was not backed by gold or silver (no fort Knox)
States began to print their own money
Congress did have the power to admit new states
Once an area had 60,000 settlers it could petition for statehood and be equal to all other states

7. Convention
Weaknesses of the articles of confederation had people calling for a convention to fix things
Began on May 25th, 1787
All but Rhode Island sent representatives
Two rival plans emerged
The Virginia Plan
Strong national government with 3 branches
2 houses based on population
The New Jersey Plan
3 branches
1 house legislature with one vote per state

8. The Great Compromise Created a two house legislature
The House of Representatives would be elected by popular vote as the large states wanted
The Senate would be chosen by state legislatures
There would be 2 Senators from each state
As the smaller states wanted
North and South argued as well
Slavery was the main issue of contention
Three- Fifths compromise
3 of 5 slaves would be counted as part of the population which would decide how many house delegates a state would have
Northern states agreed that congress could not outlaw slavery for 20 years

9. Ideas of the Constitution
Roman Example
The founding fathers admired the example set by their Roman predecessors
They saw citizens who desired to serve the state for the good of others
They also saw that the Roman empire declined once citizens began to value luxury more than independence

10. Great Britain as an Example?
The Magna Carta
Leaders still had to obey the law
All people have the right to private property and trial by jury
English Bill of Rights
Protected the rights of citizens
Parliamentary election regularly
Affirmed Habeas Corpus- cannot be jailed without being charged with a crime

11. Enlightenment Theory Locke and Natural Rights Separation of Powers
All people have rights to life, liberty and property
Government is an agreement between the ruler and the ruled
Founding fathers saw the constitution as a contract between the people and their government
Separation of Powers
Powers of government should be clearly defined and divided up
Three branches of government