Foundational Documents

Declaration of Independence

• Thirteen united states

  • Reclaim the rights given by God

  • Forced to separate

• Self-evident truths

  • Men are all created equal

  • Given certain unalienable rights

  • Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

  • Government among the men under consent of governed

  • New government when necessary for safety & happiness

  • Tyranny over states

• England isn’t following laws for the public good

• Not passing laws to accommodate for general good

• Legislative bodies at unusual places to fatigue people into compliance

• Don’t allow for others’ elections

• Obstructed administration of justice by not establishing courts

• Cut off international trade

• Imposing taxes without consent

Articles of Confederation

• Adopted by Continental Congress 1777

• First constitution of United States

• Articles of Confederation outlined Congress with representation not based on population (one vote in Congress)

• Ratification by all 13 states necessary

Disadvantages

• Government had insufficient power to regulate commerce

• Could not tax

• Impotent in setting commercial policy

• Could not effectively support war effort

• Depleted treasury and paper money flooding

• Disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, trade

Transcript

• State retains sovereignty, freedom, independence

• League of friendship (common defense, welfare)

• Privileges and immunities of free citizens

• Indicted of treason should be returned

• Full faith and credit

• All states should have at least 2 representatives

• Each state has a vote

• Freedom of speech in Congress

• Can’t enter into treaties

• No states can lay imposts or duties

• No vessels of war

• No state shall engage in war without the US

• Vacancies filled up by state

• Charges for war supplied by multiple legislatures

• United States in Congress determines peace and war

• Congress is last court of appeal