Notes From October 2nd-5th pd

Alrighty, so another fun-filled day of post American Revolutionary War!
-Americans win
-states realized that every state needs a Constitution (this would limit the state government power)
-the constitution had popular sovereignty (the state government got power from the people)
-most states had a two house branch, while 3 states had a one house branch.
-all 13 states made the legislative branch the strongest branch (this defined the rights of citizens)

Upper House Senators were Chosen:
-by electoral college
-by the lower house
-by holding separate election districts (people choose)

Powers of the Governors
-had the Bill of Rights (rights for citizens)
-VA; had government with 3 branches (the legislative is the strongest)
-had no power to veto bills passed by the legislature
-Lower house had a term of one year, while the Upper House had a term of four years

Legislative Body
-the legislative branch chose governor, his advisors, and the judges for the Judicial system
-VA Declaration of Rights:right to life , liberty, property, and the pursuit of happiness
-guaranteed trial by jury and religious freedom

Battle Of Saratoga
-turning point because Americans defeat the British; French decide to become allies with the Americans
-up until Saratoga, the Americans only had one true victory (Trenton)
-this was a boost in moral
-Saratoga resulted in many peace treaties between the Americans and the French
-French help Americans (permanent alliance; French recognize American independence, France uninterested in North American territory)
-war fought under second Continental Congress

Article of Confederation
-government was rushed (didn't cover anything, it was intentional)
-they figured the states would be strong if the national government was weak
-the government under the Articles of Confederation had 1 branch: Legislative Branch
-no national court system
-can't levee taxes
-if the national government needed money, they went to the states individually for support
-didn't have regulated trade (relied on states to cover that)
-if the national government wanted to amend, ALL 13 states would have to agree

~Liz Z.~