Declaration of Independence
written in 1776, declaring 13 colonies free from British rule, justifies revolution, lists grievances against the king
Articles of confederation
America’s first governing document, gave congress power to declare war, make treaties, manage Native American affairs, establish post office. The system was a unicameral legislature with one vote per state
Weaknesses of Articles of confederation
couldn’t enforce laws, regulate trade, or tax; inability to pay off debts, inconsistent state policies; congress couldn’t raise an army or regulate interstate commerce, no national court system
What highlighted the failures of the articles of confederation
Shay’s rebellion
preamble
outlined goals of the new union, “We the people… in order to form a more perfect union”
article 1 of constitution
establishes congress as a bicameral body with senate and house of reps, lists enumerated powers of congress to tax, declare war and regulate commerce, prohibits states from making treaties and coining money, prohibits congress from suspending habeas corpus and creating ex post facto laws
Amendment 1
freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom to assemble, freedom to petition
amendment 2
right to bear arms
amendment 10
reserved powers that weren’t listed as enumerated powers to the states
amendment 13
abolished slavery
amendment 14
granted citizenship to those born or naturalized in US
amendment 15
allowed men of color to vote
amendment 17
U.S. senators elected by people of each state, replacing old system where the senators were chosen by state legislatures
amendment 19
women’s right to vote
amendment 23
residents of D.C. get the right to vote
amendment 24
prohibits poll tax
amendment 26
lowers voting age to 18
brutus 1
opposes constitution’s ratification, anti-federalist, arguing that a large republic will lead to tyranny, disagreed with the necessary and proper clause and the supremacy clause, disagreed with the power to have a standing army
federalist 10
written by James Madison, arguing that large republic controlled the dangers of factions and prevented a single faction from oppressing minorities. Proposed many competing parties to control factions and a representative government
federalist 51
written by James Madison, explains how constitution’s checks and balances prevents tyranny. States that ambition must counteract ambition to protect liberty and minority rights
