POL SCI 40 Chapter Notes - Chapter 2: Article Two Of The United States Constitution, Vote Trading, Enforcement Authority
Document Summary
During the revolution people were ill-equipped for war. The most aggressive challenge to home rule came in 1765 with passage of the stamp. Most states adopted bicameral (two-chamber) legislatures, and all created a governorship. Jefferson"s colleagues only made slight changes in this centerpiece of the declaration of. Independence, but they did amend his list of grievances. The articles of confederation served as the nation"s de facto constitution during the intervening war years. The first american constitution created a confederation, a highly decentralized system in which the national government derives limited authority from the states rather than directly from citizens. After six years of war, the nation"s debt was staggering. Congress owed americans about million and foreign governments about million. The nations shaky finances were not helped by its trade problems, which also stemmed from the confederation"s explicit reservation of all matters. Popular sovereignty is citizens" delegation of authority to their agents in government.