Chapter 2 The Constitution
Chapter 2 The Constitution
The Colonial background o Jamestown-representative assembly o Plymouth-social contract with consent of the governed
The Colonial Background • Jamestown – representative assembly • Plymouth – social contract with consent of the governed
Selected milestones in the Colonial/ Early American Era the Stamp act the First Continental Congress the Second Continental Congress the revolutionary War o the Declaration of Independence the ratification of the articles of confederation Shays rebellion the Constitutional convention the ratification of the u.s. constitution the ratification of the bill of rights
Selected Milestones in the Colonial/ Early American Era • the Stamp Act • the First Continental Congress • the Second Continental Congress • the Revolutionary War • the Declaration of Independence • the ratification of the Articles of Confederation • Shays’ Rebellion • the Constitutional Convention • the ratification of the U.S. Constitution • the Ratification of the Bill of Rights
Important Concepts in the Declaration of Independence o Natural Rights- the idea that individuals hold certain rights because they are human; governments cannot take away these"inalienable'"'(cant be transferred) rights Locke describes these rights as"life, liberty and property Jefferson describes these rights as life liberty and the pursuit of happiness o Social contract --a general agreement between the people and the government, where the people agree to give up some of their liberties, so that the remainder are protected
Important Concepts in the Declaration of Independence o Natural Rights – the idea that individuals hold certain rights because they are human; governments cannot take away these “inalienable” (can’t be transferred) rights – Locke describes these rights as “life, liberty and property” – Jefferson describes these rights as “life liberty and the pursuit of happiness” o Social contract -- a general agreement between the people and the government, where the people agree to give up some of their liberties, so that the remainder are protected
The articles of confederation Table 2-1: Powers of the Congress of the confederation CONGRESS HAD POWER TO CONGRESS LACKED POWER TO Declare war and make peace Provide for effective treaty-making power and Enter into treaties and alliances control foreign relations, It could not compel Establish and control armed forces states to respect treaties Requisition men and money from states Compel states to meet military quotas, it could not draft soldiers Regulate coinage Regulate interstate and foreign commerce;it Borrow money and issue bills of credit left each state free to set up its own tariff Fix uniform standards of weight and system measurement Collect taxes directly from the people; it had Create admiralty courts to rely on states to collect and forward taxes Create a postal system Compel states to pay their share of Regulate Indian affairs government costs Guarantee citizens of each state the rights and. Provide and maintain a sound monetary privileges of citizens in the several states when system or issue paper money; this was left up to in another state the states and monies in circulation differed Adjudicate disputes between states on state tremendously in value petition
The Articles of Confederation Table 2-1: Powers of the Congress of the Confederation CONGRESS HAD POWER TO: CONGRESS LACKED POWER TO: • Declare war and make peace. • Enter into treaties and alliances. • Establish and control armed forces. • Requisition men and money from states. • Regulate coinage. • Borrow money and issue bills of credit. • Fix uniform standards of weight and measurement. • Create admiralty courts. • Create a postal system. • Regulate Indian affairs. • Guarantee citizens of each state the rights and privileges of citizens in the several states when in another state. • Adjudicate disputes between states on state petition. • Provide for effective treaty-making power and control foreign relations; it could not compel states to respect treaties. • Compel states to meet military quotas; it could not draft soldiers. • Regulate interstate and foreign commerce; it left each state free to set up its own tariff system. • Collect taxes directly from the people; it had to rely on states to collect and forward taxes. • Compel states to pay their share of government costs. • Provide and maintain a sound monetary system or issue paper money; this was left up to the states, and monies in circulation differed tremendously in value