...Historical Essay: Confederation and Constitution By History 405 Professor Aimee James January 26th, 2015 Historical Essay: Confederation and Constitution Confederation and Constitution As Colonial America moved from civil disobedience to open war with Britain, the States, at the behest of the Colonial Congress, started drafting constitutions and in the process “became laboratories for constitutional experimentation” ( Keene 120). The need to ensure a strong union and to ensure that it was strong enough to deal with both internal and external issues drove the colonies to send delegates to Albany to draft the Articles of Confederation. Ratified in 1781, the Articles of Confederation framed a new United States of America. The Articles of Confederation did not create a national government, “but rather a firm league of friendship” (Keene 121). Ultimately a fear of recreating the issues that were driving them from British rule shaped the Articles of Confederation and created a weak government with little power. It setup a national legislature called Congress where each state had one vote. It had no power to levy taxes, regulate commerce or otherwise interfere with the States. It could create money and declare war or peace. Notably any changes or amendments required a unanimous vote of Congress and “because of its weaknesses, Alexander Hamilton and other delegates called for a convention to be held in Philadelphia to improve and amend the Articles” (Articles of confederation 2014)...
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...The United States Constitution overcame the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and provided organization for the new government. In the 1780’s, the United States composed their first form of government after the colonists won the Revolutionary War against the British. This first form of government was known as The Articles of Confederation, which gave power to the states and created a unicameral legislature. A new constitution was made at the constitutional convention, which formulated many different compromises such as The Great Compromise, and the Three-Fifths compromise. Some people believed that the Constitution should be ratified, and some people thought it should not be, these people became known as federalists and antifederalists. While the articles of confederation created the first form of government for the states, it had many flaws. Some of these were resolved at the Constitutional Convention by creating many compromises, but people known as anti-federalists still thought that the constitution should not be ratified. This was solved by...
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...The Articles of Confederation vs. the Constitution DeVry University The Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution are the historical documents that have been the building blocks of democracy that America is known for today. The Articles of Confederation are in many way an extension of what makes up the United States Constitution. In 1777, there wear a combination of thirteen states that came together to mold a type of government document that the United States could determine as “central” style of government. These states included New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. By late 1787, the Articles of Confederation were replaced by a more complete United States Constitution. There are several differences and similarities that lead to this American government transformation. The origination of the Articles of Confederation were a dynamic that was set into place in order to safeguard the union of states from any foreign control. It was a time in which the newly born states were yearning to be a set of sovereign states but stay independent from British colony control. Thus, the Articles of Confederation were originated. There were several important aspects of the Articles of Confederation that helped the United States reach a somewhat government goal. In the articles, states were allowed to collect taxes from its citizens...
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...overcame the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and provided the organization of the new government. After the American Revolutionary War in America, the colonists needed a government so no one could take away their power.The Articles of Confederation were very weak and under them the new country was vulnerable and the states all were doing their own thing. During the Constitutional Convention, many compromises were made to make everyone in small and large states happy. Federalists wrote the Federalists Papers to gain support from the public. Anti- Federalists refused to sign things and protested the Constitution. To overcome the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation the newly formed United States...
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...Hamilton and Rachel Faucette in Charlestown, Nevis. His father left and shortly after his mother passed away from a fever, leaving him and his brother, James, as orphans. When he was older he became an accounting clerk in St.Croix, where he was exposed to the business of money and trade. He was sent to America for education after publishing his eloquently written account of a hurricane that hit the island in 1772. He studied at King’s College, but graduated early to join the patriots in their protest against British-imposed taxes and commercial business regulations. The Anti Federalists were the group that opposed the ideas of the proposed constitution and favored the Articles...
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...Grant M. Ritchie POS-301 November 16, 2014 Jonathan Roeder Constitutional Timeline Our Founding Fathers relied on the information found in the Magna Carta, Mayflower Compact, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Federalist Papers to help draft the United States Constitution. These documents played a significant role in developing the United States of America. I believe without the support of these documents the Constitution would never existed. Those who created the Magna Carta brought on some of the liberties we appropriate today. The Magna Carta’s one important law includes freedom of the church. The freedom is also in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution which states freedom of religion. King John was forced to sign this document in 1215. “The Magna Carta also imposed limitations of the King of England and established a parliamentary form of government with powers to act on the citizens behalf,” (AuBuchan, 2001, p. 1). The Magna Carta is comparable to the constitutional form of government which establishes Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches. The Magna Carta contained due process which led to trial by jury also included under Article Three Section Two of the U.S. Constitution. The words of the Fifth Amendment are mentioned in the Magna Carta. Rough seas and storms stopped the Mayflower from reaching their destination. The settlers ended up in Cape Cod. “Mayflower Compact, document was signed on the English ship Mayflower...
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...Historical Essay #1: Confederation and Constitution Anthony Snow DeVry University 08/01/2015 HISTORICAL ESSAY #1: CONFEDERATION AND CONSTITUTION As with anything in this world there are always strengths and weaknesses when people are comparing two different items, as no one item can be a perfect solution; there are always compromises. The same happens when we are comparing the Articles of Confederation and the New Constitution of 1787. Both of theses two solutions each have their own strengths and weaknesses. First we have the Articles of Confederation that when written gave each state a lot of individual powers, and because of this was one of the main reasons for the New Constitution, and I want to show how these two solutions are different, and how the New Constitution uses some of the same concepts that make up the Articles of Constitution. I would first like to take a look at the Articles of Confederation, and explore some of the strengths and weaknesses that came as a result of adopting it. The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation on November 15, 1777. One of the main weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation was that although it was able to produce a confederation of sovereign states, it was also responsible for weakening the central government, as the Articles of Confederation gave almost all of the power to the individual state governments. With the individual state gaining more power, the national government found it extremely difficult...
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...rights. What the colonist wanted in the beginning of this revolution was simple, they asked for the restoration of English liberty, equal representation, and equal English values that English men had in Great Britain. The idea of breaking away from the crown started to emerge in the 1770’s. After the French and Indian war, Great Britain started to tax the colonist heavily, and in 1772 Samuel Adams wrote The Rights of the Colonist which move the colonist towards a more Lockean way...
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...The Confederation and the Constitution | | | | | Shortly after Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the delegates at the Second Continental Congress agreed that a new government was necessary to govern the now-independent colonies. After much debate, they drafted and adopted the Articles of Confederation in 1777. Although the Articles were not officially ratified until 1781, they served as the actual constitution until that time. Under the authority of the Articles, the states created a national Congress comprised of annually elected delegates from all thirteen states. Each state had one vote in Congress, and, in most cases, decisions were made based on majority rule. The National Congress’ powers over the states were specific and definite: it had the sole power to negotiate treaties, declare war, and make peace. It also reserved the right to maintain an army and navy and regulated interaction with Native Americans in the West. The delegates also granted Congress the power to resolve interstate disputes, grant loans, print money, and operate a national postal system. Eventually, Congress was also authorized to govern western territories until they achieved statehood. All powers not granted to Congress were reserved for state governments. Congress had no power to levy taxes. For example, it could only request that the individual states raise revenue to cover their share of national expenses. Furthermore, any amendments made to the Articles...
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...http://acecontent.apexlearning.com/Live/online/us_hist_to_civ... Test 2.5.3 Test (TS): Becoming American Name: ____________________ U.S. History to the Civil War Core (S2503364) Points possible: 60 Date: ____________ Unit 3 Big Question: Why did North American colonists work against British rule? What kind of government did they create after they had gained independence? Section 1: Short-answer questions (30 points) Write multi-sentence responses for the prompts below. Be specific and give examples from the history we have learned. The 13 Colonies A. Name at least two colonies in each region listed in the table. In a few words, describe the main economy of each area. (1 point for each section, 8 points total) Region Colonies Economy Northern Middle 1 of 4 7/31/14 1:40 PM http://acecontent.apexlearning.com/Live/online/us_hist_to_civ... Chesapeake Southern B. In a sentence or two, describe two of the following items and how each led to the Revolutionary War. (3 points each, 6 points total) Parliament: Scientific revolution: Boston Massacre: Plantation: Townshend Acts: 2 of 4 7/31/14 1:40 PM http://acecontent.apexlearning.com/Live/online/us_hist_to_civ... C. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was written, mostly by Thomas Jefferson, a member of the Second Continental Congress. Use a few words or a sentence to answer the following questions. (16 points) Who wrote the Declaration of...
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...Objectives: WEEK ONE SUBMITTED ____________________________________________________________________________________ WEEK TWO **Individual Assignment** 2. Resources: Ch. 6–10 of Colonial America and MyHistoryLab Write a 350- to 700-word essay response to each of the following questions: Question 1: How was trade in the New World a source of revenue for monarchies and for the colonies? Question 2: What are the similarities and differences between early colonial and contemporary American beliefs about religious freedom and tolerance? Question 3: Examine Bacon’s Rebellion or Leisler’s Rebellion and address the following questions: What were its causes and consequences? Do you think the rebellion is best viewed as a precursor to the revolutionary war or as an unrelated event? Cite at least one primary source in each of your short essays. Format your essays consistent with APA guidelines. Submit your essays in a single Microsoft® Word document. _____________________________________________________________________________________ WEEK THREE **INDIVDUAL ASSIGNMENT** 3. Resources: Ch. 11–19 of Colonial America and MyHistoryLab Write three 350- to 700-word letters; one written from the point of view of each of the following people: Letter 1: A merchant living in a New England urban center Letter 2: The wife of a religious leader living in Pennsylvania Letter 3: A plantation worker living in South Carolina ...
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...Governing the Nation Sum Dang HIS/110 May 13, 2013 Kimberlee Neitz Governing the Nation Edward Randolph was an exceedingly well educated man from Williamsburg, Virginia who characterized wisdom, dignity, and bravery. This paper will be giving you the opportunity to dig vastly into Edward Randolph character. This paper will also determine that Edward Randolph stood intensely for what he have faith in and he was not afraid to voice his opinion or embody what he felt was rational. In this essay, Governing the Nation I will deliver my perception on Edward Randolph philosophical ideals embodied by the Declaration of Independence, the comparisons and variances of both concepts in the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution and how each of the ideas respectively affected Edward’s assigned role. I will choose one major disagreement for the ratification of the Constitution that Edward Randolph supported and will choose one major disagreement in contrast to the ratification that Edward Randolph would support. Furthermore, based on these two arguments my character, Edward Randolph, you will be able to tell if he supported the ratification of the Constitution. Edward Randolph was born on hot summer day in August 21, 1753 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Randolph was a Virginia planter and slave holder. He attended the College of William and Mary and just like his father, he wanted to pursue a career in law. Edward Randolph was a representative of the Virginia convention. In...
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...great effort in his studies, even to the point of risking his health. He studied day and night and never got any sleep. At the age of 25, Madison entered into politics as a delegate in Virginia’s state legislature. It wasn’t until 1776, when America declared their independence against Britain, starting the American Revolution. During the war, thirteen states organized a central government called the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation was a document that formed a weak national congress and reserved the bulk of power for the states. When the war ended in 1783, Jame Madison and many...
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...How the Constitution Guards against Tyranny The United States of America learned from Great Britain’s government and used what they had learned to create the government that the United States has today. After the Thirteen colonies broke away from Great Britain, they needed a plan of government so, they made a document entitled the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation worked like a constitution would and it worked very well until the framers of our now Constitution realized that The Articles of Confederation would never work to suit the needs of the new blossoming country. Upon this realization, they made a whole new plan of government called The Constitution which protected the people’s rights, set out the rules of the government, and most importantly protected all the citizens from an abusive government otherwise know as a tyrant....
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...AP U.S. History Essay Yerim Lee After having numerous heated debates over the structure of the new government, the delegates hoped that the problems that existed under the previous Confederation government would be resolved under the newly established government under the Constitution. Although similar problems arose after the establishment, its leaders were able to gain prominent control over their powers and implement new policies under the Constitution in attempt to fix the problems facing the nation. Although the Confederation government and the Constitution government shared problems of economic difficulties, foreign policy problems, and intrastate challenges, the new government under the Constitution was significantly more successful in solving its problems. The biggest economic problem America faced from the 1780s to the year of 1800 was debt....
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