Notes – By Alex M.

1775- Major Fighting between the British and the colonies

1776- Declaration of Independence

1. Continental Congress- Debate on what type of government to put in place)--King George III

1777- On November 15th, 1777, the Articles of Confederation was passed (the new government)

1. It took until 1781 before all 13 states to ratify it.

Confederation- loose association of states (loose national government)

They did NOT want a strong national government because they were in fear that another situation like the one in Britain would happen to them again (King George III)

1787- Had problems with the Articles of Confederation so all the delegates come back except for Rhode Island

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:

No national tax

Every state had different currency

Congress had difficulties passing laws (9/13 states to pass laws)

  • Each state has 1 vote

No executive branch of government

No control over trade

No national court system

Needed strengthening of government

States quarreled over boundary lines (because states were thought of now as “separate countries”)

In addition to Domestic issues, the country looked weak to other nations.

The Effect: each state acted as a separate country.

Best thing of Articles of Confederation: It established a new country.

Federalism

Federal System of government: divides a government’s powers between the national government which governs the whole country and state governments which governs each state.

Unitary System- National government possesses all legal power

Anti federalists (example: Thomas Jefferson) People who opposed new constitution and federal system of government

Federalist (example: John Adams) People who believed in a stronger national government.

Ratification: approval

1787- Constitutional Convention

1788- The required 9th state ratified in June 1778 therefore 9/13 states ratified the Constitution.

1789- Constitution went into effect/Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) were proposed for on September 25th.

1. We have the Bill of Rights because of the Anti federalists because the Constitution only set the rules of government and didn’t state the people’s rights.

1791- Bill of Rights set in force

New York was set as temporary capital of the colonies.

Constitution has the ability to correct itself.

The constitution has 7 sections or articles and 27 changes or amendments.

The delegates gathered to change Articles of Confederation, not “rebuild” a government.

Constitutional Influences

Magna Carta (1215 AD)

  • Limited King’s Power for English Nobility

Mayflower Compact (1620 AD)

  • First written agreement of this country
  • Pledge to live under God’s rules on their new territory/set rules that they would live by

English Bill of Rights (1688-1689)

  • Stated rules of English people; specific rights; limited King’s power greatly

Articles of Confederation

  • Improved upon these ideals

These ideals were not new, but used from previous documents.