Notes for October 2nd---4th period

***America's Government System

-the constitution made clear of the limits on the states (showed powers of the government)
-all states have written constitution
-most states have a Bill of Rights
-legislature branch defines the rights citizens have (strongest branch in the government)
-originally, the legislative branch chose government and council, and had more senior judges
-lower house (commoners) had elections annually
-upper house had elections every 4 years
-VA Bill of Rights (was called the Declaration of Rights)---life, liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness
-Bill of Rights protects citizens

***Revolutionary War

-Battle of Saratoga important in American independence (major victory)
-Americans outnumber British who then surrender
-Battles of Lexington and Concord lead to the Declaration of Independence
-French fight with Americans...help them with the Revolution
-fight the war under Continental Congress

*** Early American Government

-Articles of Confederation (first formal government in America)
-each state has their own power (national government does not have much power)
-national government cannot tax states because each state has its own rules
-national government goes to states for money
-cannot form trade among all of the states