1. Chapter Two Section Two
The Constitution
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2. CONSTITUTION The system of fundamental laws and principles that prescribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government or another institution
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3. CONSTITUTION
-statement of ideals -establishes basic structure of government -defines and limits governments powers and duties -supreme law of country
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4. CONSTITUTIONAL GOVERNMENT
Not all systems with constitutions are democracies; not all democracies have constitutions
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5. STATEMENT OF IDEALS
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
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6. PURPOSES OF GOVERNMENT
Maintain order
Provide public services
Regulate the economy
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7. STATEMENT OF IDEALS
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
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8. STRUCTURE OF GOVERNMENT
-unitary, federal, or confederal? -parliamentary or presidential? -unicameral or bicameral? -proportional or pluralist/majoritarian?
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9. SUPREME LAW
-defines and limits powers and duties of government - -defines and limits powers and duties of citizens
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10. The Articles of Confederation 1781
To all to whom these Presents shall come, we the undersigned Delegates of the States affixed to our Names send greeting.
Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts bay, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia.
Article I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America."
Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right, which is not by this Confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.
Article III. The said States hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other, for their common defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, binding themselves to assist each other, against all force offered to, or attacks made upon them, or any of them, on account of religion, sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.
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11. Structure of the Articles of Confederation
Established a “firm league of friendship” among the states.
Each state kept “its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right…not…expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress assembled.”

12. Structure of the Articles of Confederation
Congress was the sole body created and was unicameral.
Delegates to the Congress were chosen annually by the States in whatever way their legislatures desired.
Each state had one vote regardless of size or population.

13. Structure of the Articles of Confederation
There was no executive or judicial branch.
These functions would be handled by committees of the Congress.
Each year the Congress would select one of it’s members to be the president. President would preside over the Congress, but would NOT be the president of the United States.
Civil officers (postmasters etc.) would also be selected by the Congress

14. Powers of Congress under the Articles of Confederation
Make war and peace.
Send and receive ambassadors.
Make treaties.
Borrow money.
Set up a monetary system.
Build a navy.
Raise an army by asking the States for troops.
Fix uniform standards of weights and measures.
Settle disputes among the states.

15. Strengths of the Articles of Confederation
First written constitution
First National Union
Neutral negotiating forum for states
Successes:
Land Ordinance 1785 standardized weights and measures
Northwest Ordinance 1787 to survey new territories, define admission of new states, and allow for state sovereignty on issue of slavery
Jay Treaty 1785 added Florida territory and opened up Mississippi to trade
Established a National Postal Service
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16. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Confederal
Sovereignty, independence retained by states
Parliamentary
No Executive or Judicial
Unicameral
Delegates to Congress picked, paid for by state legislatures
One vote in Congress for each state
Nine of thirteen votes in Congress required for any measure
All thirteen states’ consent necessary for any amendments
Congress did not have power to tax, print money, or regulate commerce
Army small and dependent on independent state militias
Territorial disputes between states led to open hostilities
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17. State Constitutions Pennsylvania Most democratic Universal Suffrage
Popular election
One Year Terms
Unicameral
Executive Council
Massachusetts
Weak government
Christian Property owners
Separation of Powers
Executive Veto
Appointed Judges
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18. Veterans’ Bonds and the Poll Tax
Shay’s Rebellion
Veterans’ Bonds and the Poll Tax
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19. How did Shay’s Rebellion
bring forth the weaknesses
of the Articles of Confederation?