Ohne Titel

US Constitution

The Government

• First, we need to learn about government.
• Government is a broad term that can mean many things. For example, there is federal government supporting the United States, and state government supporting only one state.
• Another important thing to remember is that there is constant war between the powers of federal and state governments.
• Federal government covers areas like interstate trade, foreign affairs, and running an army.
• State governments can make laws, run a bank, and agree in harmony with the national government.

Limited Government

• A limited government refers to that which is run by the people. This key term is also called popular sovereignty.
• Limited government also means that the government will not be corrupt, or running by mad people. The entire government is run by people's feelings.
• Limited government also says that the government cannot do anything the people don't say.
• Finally, by the 10th amendment, the government cannot be more powerful by the people, and all power not given to the government will be given to the people or state governments.

Documents

• Declaration of Independence
• The Declaration of Independence was a historical document that was made during the Revolutionary war. It signified the breaking up of America and Britain.
• The Bill of Rights
• The Bill of Rights were the first 10 amendments. These granted the freedoms, trial by jury, and no excessive bail or punishment. Also, no search or seizure of property could be conducted. Finally, people didn't have to house troops.

Constitution

• States had to make their own Constitution after the war was over. Many, like the Virginia Constitution, included:
• The freedom of speech
• The freedom of religion
• The freedom of the press
• The freedom of assembly
• Required trial by jury

The Freedom of Religion

• Thomas Jefferson, our third president, had very laser-like view points about the freedom of religion. He deemed that everyone should be able to worship whatever they'd like, and no persecution could follow them.
• In Pennsylvania, the city of Philadelphia, or the city of Brotherly Love, allowed everyone to practice their own religion freely.

The Articles of Confederations

• The Articles of Confederation were the first national document created by the founding fathers. They were created by the Second Continental Congress, and were thought by the Federalists to not have given enough power to federal government.
• Later in the Grand Convention of the States, the main purpose was to change or rewrite another governing piece of paper. This was agreed on by the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, the latter thought that the Articles didn't give states enough power.

Northwest Territories

• Settlers of the Northwest Territories , by the Northwest Ordinance and other documents, had all of the freedoms promised to white males, and there was no slavery allowed in the area.