#AP US History: The Road to the Constitution 🚀

Hey there, future APUSH superstar! Let's break down the critical period after the Revolution and how it led to the Constitution. We'll make sure you're feeling confident and ready to ace that exam!

#The First Attempts at Self-Governance

#State Constitutions 📜

• After declaring independence, each state created its own constitution. Think of these as the first experiments in self-rule.
• Key features included:
  • Bills of Rights: Protecting individual liberties. 💡
  • Yearly Elections: Keeping legislators accountable.
  • Weak Executive Branches: Reflecting a fear of centralized power.
• Massachusetts set a precedent by submitting its constitution to the people for ratification – a process later used for the national Constitution.

#The Articles of Confederation: A First Try 🏛️

• The Articles of Confederation were the first attempt at a national government. Think of it as a 'loose confederation' of states.
• It established a weak central government with limited powers, such as:
  • Conducting foreign relations
  • Regulating trade between states
• Most power remained with the states. The central government could not tax or regulate commerce.

#Weaknesses of the Articles 📉

• No power to tax: The government was always broke. 💸
• No power to regulate trade: States were fighting over trade, making it hard to do business. 😠
• No power to enforce laws: The government was toothless. 🦷
• 9/13 states needed to enact laws: Gridlock was the norm. 🚦
• 13/13 states needed to amend the Articles: Impossible to fix problems. 🤯
• No executive branch: No one to coordinate the government. 🤷
• No national court system: No way to settle disputes between states. ⚖️

| Weaknesses | Outcome | ...