Declaration
of Independence
- July 4.1776
- Thomas Jefferson, primary author
- "certain unalienable right, that among these are Life,
Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness"
- People create government to protect the people's right
- The government power comes from the People
- The People can and should change the government that tries
to infringe upon their rights
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Articles
of Confederation
- July 12.1778
- Left most of the power with the States
- Weak central government
- No way to tax, or regulate trade
- No common currency (money)
- Each state had one vote, no matter the population
- No executive or judicial branch
Congress
for Kids
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The
Constitution
- Established a central government... Federal government
- This system both the state and federal governments have
powers
- James Madison' "Virginia Plan" three separate branches of
government
- Legislative branch (Congress.. Senate and House of
Representative
- Judicial Branch (Supreme Court... 9 Judges.... Are the laws
passed by the Congress constitutional)
- Executive Branch (President ... carries out the laws)
- The right to add amendments - change with the times
- A major document for the frame work of a representative
government
- Copied by other representative government
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The
Bill of Rights
- Added to the Constitution of the United States to insure
curtain right
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- First ten amendments
- First: right to freedom of religion, speech, press,
peaceable assemble, and to petition the government about grievances
- Second: regulated Militia, right to bear arms
- Third: no quartering of soldiers in ones home
- Forth: search warrants
- Fifth: double jeopardy, not have to bare witness against
himself
- Sixth: speedy trial
- Seventh: trial by jury
- Eighth: excessive bail or fines, or cruel and unusual
punishments
- Ninth: the rights of the people are not limited to that of
the Constitution
- Tenth: powers not delegated to the Federal government are
the powers saved for the States or the people
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Monroe
Doctrine
- James Monroe
- Warns that European nations not interfere in the Western
hemisphere
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"Jim
Crow" Laws
- Established segregation/Separation of the races
- Reinforced prejudices
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