Key Concepts of the Articles of Confederation and Early State Constitutions

weakness of articles

1. congress could not tax

2. could not regulate foreign and interstate commerce

3. no national court system

4. 9/13 supermajority to pass laws

5. amendments required unanimity among the states

state obligations

- provide troops when requested

- allowed open travel and trade among states

- recognition of civil liberties

features of the articles of confederation

- creating legislation - 9 of 13 states

- unanimous agreement to amend the articles

- articles are an attempt by states to restore self-government -- very suspicious of national authority

powers of congress

- declare war

- make treaties

- borrow money

- establish post offices

- send and receive ambassadors

- settle disputes between states

government structure of the articles

- congress was sole body

- unicameral

- no executive or judicial branches

- each state had one vote

articles of confederation: states were allied for:

- common defense

- security of liberties

- mutual and general welfare

articles of confederation

- highly decentralized government

- states select officials of the national government

- states may override the national government

- each state retained its sovereignty

political changes in states after revolution

- concentration of power in state legislatures

- adoption of bill of rights

- elimination of religious qualification tests for holding office

- expansion of voting rights of white males

early state constitutions (1776-77): common features

- popular sovereignty

- limited government

- civil rights and liberties

- separation of powers/checks and balances

john locke's influence

-consent of the governed

- limited government

- sensitive to the right of property

- preservation of property is a principle purpose of government

john locke -

- philosopher and political theorist

- foundation - natural rights - inalienable

- natural law trumps power of a tyrannical king

- rights are inherent, essential

declaring independence - what did colonists seek to protect?

traditional liberties:

- right to bring cases before an independent judge

- right to be free from quartering troops

- right to engage in trade without burdensome restrictions

- protection against unreasonable searches/seizures

road to revolution - why tax increases on colonists

- cost of military defense - colonists were beneficiaries

- an issue of representation and taxation

- september 1775 - formation of continental congress

- primary accomplishment -- adopted declaration of independence

the constitution

- assigns/divides power in government

articles 1 - 3

provides certain guarantees to persons