Articles of Confederation
After the ratification of the Declaration of Independence which officially established the freedom of the united colonies, the Continental Congress began to work on creating a document that provided a legal framework for the new nation that would be the new law of the land. The Articles were written by the Second Continental Congress during the early part of the American Revolution. John Dickinson, who was the head of the committee had refused to sign the Declaration of Independence, nevertheless adhering to the will of the majority of the members of the Continental Congress, presented a report on the proposed articles to the Congress on July 12, 1776, eight days after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Dickinson initially proposed a strong central government, with control over the western lands, equal representation for the states, and the power to levy taxes. Because of the drama with England , the 13 states feared a powerful central government. As a result they changed Dickinson's proposed articles drastically before they sent them to all the states for ratification in November 1777. The Continental Congress had been careful to give the states as much independence as possible. The Articles intended to establi
Thirty-five were lawyers or had benefitted from legal training, though not all of them relied on the profession for a livelihood. Almost all of them were well-educated men of means who were dominant in their communities and states, and many were also prominent in national affairs. They demanded a "bill of rights" that would spell out the immunities of individual citizens as a result of the British violation of the colonists civil rights. State judges are required to uphold it, even if state laws or Constitutions conflict with it. The Executive has the power to veto over all bills; appointment of judges and other officials; makes treaties; ensures all laws are carried out; commander in chief of the military; pardon power. The national government would consist of a single house of Congress, where each state would have one vote. Virtually every one had taken part in the Revolution; at least 29 had served in the Continental forces, most of them in positions of command. Article VI, Clause 2 states: "This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be Supreme Law of the land; and the Judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the Constitution or Laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding. sh a confederation of sovereign states, carefully specifying the limited functions of the federal government. Two were physicians, one was even a university president. Each of these branches have certain powers, and each of these powers is limited, or checked, by another branch. The Judiciary Branch has the power to try federal cases and interpret the laws of the nation in those cases; the power to declare any law or executive act unconstitutional. As a result of the Articles of Confederation's failure the United States Constitution was formed with a better structure of American Law. The Constitution is the highest form of law in the American legal system.
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