13 Colonies

1)Popular Sovereignty

All political power resides with the people The national government draws its power from the people of the United States.

Article V

Amending the Constitution

Connecticut Compromise

Congress would be composed of two houses Senate- smaller and all states would be represented equally. House- larger and representation would be based on the state's population. The convention's most serious dispute was solved Often called the Great Compromise

Charter Colonies

Connecticut and Rhode Island, a colony started by an individual trading company which had a Royal Charter with the British crown.

Second Continental Congress

Covered on May 10, 1775 in Philadelphia Each of the 13 colonies sent representatives John Hancock was chosen as President of the Congress. A continental army was created, and George Washington was appointed its commander in chief. The Second Continental Congress became the nation's first national government and served as the first government for 5 years( from signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, until the Articles of Confederation went into effect on March 1, 1781).

Articles of Confederation

Created a simple government A congress was the sole body created, and it was unicameral. Each state had 1 vote in Congress The Articles created NO judicial or executive branch Each year Congress would choose one of its members as its presiding officer, but not president of the U.S. Under the Articles, Congress had no power to tax or regulate trade. The Articles were America's first constitution in 1781 and in 1787 they came up with a second and current constitution.

4)Checks and Balances

Each of the 3 branches is subject to a number of constitutional checks by the other branches.

3)Separation of Powers

Each of the 3 branches of government are separate and independent, but equal. Legislative- makes laws Executive- executes and enforces the laws Judicial- interpret and apply the laws

Article II

Executive Branch

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

In September, 1787, the Constitution was printed, circulated, and debated vigorously in the states. Two groups emerged: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists James Madison wrote the Constitution - he was a Fed.

Article III

Judicial Branch

Constitutional Convention

Large property owners, merchants, and traders led the efforts to create a stronger national government. May 25, 1787 - first day of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. 12 of 13 states(all but Rhode Island) sent delegates to Philadelphia. 55 total delegates attended the convention. The Framers, met that summer, in Philadelphia's Independence Hall. They immediately, and unanimously, elected George Washington as President of the convention

Article I

Legislative Branch

Proprietary Colonies

Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware;territories granted by the English Crown to one or more proprietors who had full governing rights.

Article VI

National debts, supremacy of national law, and oaths of office.

Royal Colonies

New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia; a colony ruled or administered by officials appointed by and responsible to the reigning sovereign of the parent state.

2)Limited Government

No government is all-powerful The government may only things that the people have given it power to do. Government must obey the law.

The Stamp Act

Passed by Parliament in 1765 The law required the use of stamps on all legal documents, on certain business agreement, and on newspaper. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act in 1770 Boston Massacre, British troops killed 5 people In 1773, Boston Tea Party, men disguised as Native Americans dumped British cargo at sea.

Article VII

Ratifying the Constitution

Article IV

Relations among the states

First Continental Congress

September 5, 1774- delegates from every colony except Georgia sent delegates to Philadelphia. This was the result of another act imposed upon the colonists by Britain that was intended to punish the colonists for the troubles in Boston. The meeting of the First Continental Congress lasted nearly two months. The delegates called for all colonies to refuse trade with England until the taxes and trade regulations were repealed (boycott of British buy products).

Three-Fifths Compromise

Should slaves be counted in the populations of the southern states? Northern states said 'NO' and southern states said 'YES'! All free persons would be counted, and so too would 3/5 of all 'other persons' This odd compromise disappeared from the Constitution with the adoption of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865.

Preamble

States the purpose of the Constitution

New Jersey Plan

The New Jersey Plan retained a unicameral Congress. States would be equally represented. Plural executive chosen by Congress and could be removed by a request from the majority of the states' governors.

6)Federalism

The division of power among a central government and several regional governments(national government and state governments)

5)Judicial Review

The power of the courts to determine whether what the government does is in accord with what the Constitution provides.

Virginia Plan

Virginia was the first state to offer a plan of a new Constitution. It was called the Virginia Plan. Called for 3 separate branches- legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislative branch would be bicameral- representation in each house would be based either on population or upon the amount of money the state gave for the support of the central government. House members would be popularly elected in each state. Senators would be chosen by the House from lists of persons nominated by the State Legislature. Congress would choose a National Executive and National Judiciary. Virginia felt that the more people you had, the more power you would obtain(big state plan).

Preamble to the Costitution

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.

Declaration of Independence & Articles of Confederation

Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson Adopted on July 4, 1776 - it proclaimed the existence of a new nation. 56 men signed the Declaration of Independence In November 15, 1777, the delegates approved a formal plan for government called the Articles of Confederation. States retained sovereignty but were brought together for common defense and security of individual liberties. All 13 states had to approve the Articles of Confederation- 11 states agreed within a year (Delaware and Maryland delayed approval).