what is a social contract?

people give government some power in exchange for protection of their rights

what were the articles of confederation?

the first U.S. government, which created a very weak national government

legislative branch

makes laws → congress

executive branch

enforces/ carries out laws → president

judicial branch

interprets laws → courts

Article I

Legislative Branch

Article II

Executive Branch

Article III

Judicial Branch

House of Representatives

representation based on a state’s population in Congress, consisting of elected officials serving two-year terms.

senate

2 senators per state

federalists

supported the constitution and a stronger federal government

anti-federalists

feared a strong federal government and wanted a Bill of Rights

Democratic-Republicans

Favored limited federal power and stronger state governments

John Locke

Natural rights + government must protect people’s rights

What natural rights influenced the Declaration?

Life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness

Rousseau

Social contract →government’s authority comes from the people

Montesqieu

Separation of Powers →divide government into branches

Checks and balances

each branch can limit/check the power of other branches

bill of rights

first 10 amendments protecting individual rights/ freedoms

3 main parts of the Declaration of Independence?

Natural rights →grievances →Declaration of Independence

What are grievances?

Colonists complaints against King George III/ British rule

Articles weakness: taxes

Congress couldn’t collect taxes. Constitution gave Congress taxation power.

Articles weakness: trade

Congress couldn’t regulate interstate/foreign trade. Constitution gave Congress commerce power.C

Articles weakness: executive

No executive branch →Constitution created a president/executive branch

Articles weakness: courts

No national judicial branch →Constitution created federal courts/Supreme Court

Another Articles weakness

Amendments required all 13 states to agree

Limited government

Government’s power is restricted by the Constitution/laws

Separation of powers

Government power is divided among the legislative, executive and judicial branches