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Articles of Confederation
When the Articles took effect during the war there were no problems since everybody was fighting, but after it there were many faults to it such as a weak federal government, states had too much power, a unicameral legislature, and to amend a law there must be a unanimous vote between the 13 states. There was also some strengths to this document such as being able to declare war on other countries and to make peace, coin and borrow money, and post offices were made for delivery of mail. -
Constitutional Convention(Beginning)
The Constitution Convention was a meeting with all the most important people during or after the Revolutionary War with Britain. This convention was designed to revise and replace the failed Articles after an event called Shay's Rebellion had broke out and pointed out the faults of the document's way of government. This also led to a compromise of representation between the House of Representatives and the Senate with the House being based on population and the Senate having exactly 2 per state. -
Constitutional Convention(End)
The end of the Convention marked the replacement of the Articles, but the citizens still had to accept this new way of government because of suspicion of too much power to the central government. This would create the Federalist Papers and convince the people that the Constituion will work. Now all the document needed was ratification. -
Ratification of Constitution
Finally after almost 9 monthes the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified and took effect. This new government system was proved to be successful for it just corrected the faults of the way the British governmented the colonists. The creator of this system was a man named James Madison or aka the Father of the Constitution. Madison had also created the Bill of Rights which contained the first 10 amendment to protect the natural rights was later ratified. -
Bill of Rights(list of the 10 amendments)
1st- Freedom of speech, religion, and press
2nd- Right to bear arms
3rd- No quartering of soldiers
4th-No unreasonable searches, requires a search warrant
5th- due process, no self-incrimination, no double jeopardy
6th- Fair speedy trial by peers
7th- Trial by jury
8th- Prohibits excessive punishments
9th-Protects rights not in constitution(human rights)
10th- Any powers not given to the government are given to the states
10th-Powers not given to the government, are given to the states.
