American News Harold
American History
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation is too weak of a nation government. The congress has no power to tax or regulate commerce among the states. Not all the states have the same currency, so it makes it more difficult to travel and purchase necessary goods. We do not have an executive or judicial branch of government to help with laws.
Federalists
Federalists support the fact that we need a new form of government. They see the importance of a strong central government to promote economic development and public improvements. They argue that a republic could survive in a territory as large as the United States because the numerous political factions could check each other. With this it would prevent one faction from being stronger than the other. The federalists also do not want another Bill of Rights because the Constitution already protects rights.
Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists fear an overly powerful central government. They would want Richmond to have more power than D.C.. They also want another Bill of Rights to restate the rights that we already know we have. At this point apposing the ratification of the Constitution is easier than getting it ratified.
Virginia Plan
The Virginia Plan was drafted by James Madison and presented by Edmund Randolph to the Constitutional Convention. This plan favored large states giving them more of a say in government. It included three branches of government and two house legislature based on population. This plan had checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights is the collective name for the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution. The author of the Bill of Rights is James Madison, he also wrote the Constitution. The Bill of Rights state that the government should not violate basic rights human rights. It says that whatever rights that were not specified were kept by the people or the states.
3 Branches of Government
The legislature branch makes the laws and approves presidential appointments. It has two senators from each state and the number of congress men depend on the states population. The executive branch signs and vetoes laws. They appoint federal judges and the executive branch is appointed every four years. The judicial branch is composed of nine judges who can overturn rulings by other judges. They are appointed by the president and decide if laws are constitutional
Editorials
John Locke
Wrote that all people are free, equal, and have "natural rights" of life, liberty, and property that rulers cannot take away. Provided the Social Contract Theory which says if government does not protect natural rights you can overthrow it. Wrote that government's powers are limited to those the people have consented to give to it. He had radical ideas that challenged rule by kings, emperors, and tribal chieftains.
George Washington
President of the Convention, Washington presided the Convention and participated in the debates. George Washington gave the United States hope during the Revolutionary war by winning the Battle of Trenton. It is said that he waited until Christmas day when the enemy was off guard and led the Continental Army to a victory.