Deficiencies in the Articles of Confederation

  • No separate executive branch to carry out the laws of Congress.
  • No national judiciary to handle offenses against the central government’s laws or to settle disputes between states.
  • Congress did not have the power to levy taxes.
  • Congress could not regulate interstate and foreign commerce.
  • The states as well as Congress had the power to coin money.
  • Congress could not support an army or navy and was dependent on state militias.
  • Nine states had to approve every law.
  • Amendment of the Articles required unanimous consent.
The Bill of Rights
First Amendment Freedom of religion, speech, the press, peaceable assembly, and petition
Second Amendment The right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment Prohibits quartering of troops in citizens’ homes
Fourth Amendment Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
Fifth Amendment Rules against taking of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
Protection against self-incrimination
Sixth Amendment A person accused of a crime has a right to a defense lawyer, speedy and public trial, the right to hear charges, call witnesses, and be present when witnesses speak in court
Seventh Amendment The right to trial by jury
Eighth Amendment Protection against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments
Ninth Amendment The rights enumerated in the Constitution are not a person’s only rights
Tenth Amendment Powers not delegated to the U.S. nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or to the people
READ:
The Equal Rights Amendment (1923)
READ:
A Declaration of Grievances; Louis XVI’s Downfall
Checks and Balances
Executive Branch can veto laws
can call special sessions of Congress
controls enforcement of laws
nominates judges
can pardon people convicted of federal crimes
Legislative Branch can impeach President and other high officials
Senate approves Presidential appointments
Senate approves treaties
can override presidential vetoes
exercises power of the purse
Judicial Branch can declare laws or presidential actions unconstitutional
lifetime appointments

1 Comment

  1. by putting the bill of rights in there are you suggesting this was a deficiency of the AoC. We didn’t have a rights to bear arms article in the AoC? That’s news to me.

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