Following independence, the first national framework was the
Articles of Confederation. This system intentionally created a
weak central government in response to fears of tyranny. Under
the Articles, most power remained with the states, and the national
government lacked the ability to tax, regulate trade, or enforce
laws. There was no executive branch or national judiciary. While
this structure preserved state independence, it ultimately proved
ineffective. Economic instability, interstate conflict, and events
like Shays’ Rebellion revealed that the national government could
not maintain order or address collective problems, leading to calls
for a stronger system.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was originally intended to
revise the Articles, but delegates instead created an entirely new
framework. The resulting Constitution incorporated key
compromises to balance competing interests. The Great Compromise
established a bicameral legislature, with representation based on
population in the House of Representatives and equal
representation in the Senate. The Three-Fifths Compromise
addressed representation and taxation by counting enslaved
individuals as three-fifths of a person, significantly affecting
political power distribution between North and South. The
Commerce Compromise gave Congress authority over interstate and
international trade while leaving intrastate commerce to the
states.
The Constitution itself establishes the structure and principles of
the U.S. government. It begins with the Preamble, which outlines
the purpose of government as promoting justice, domestic
tranquility, and general welfare. The body of the Constitution is
organized into three branches of government.
Article I establishes the legislative branch, responsible for making
laws. Article II creates the executive branch, responsible for
enforcing laws. Article III establishes the judicial branch,
responsible for interpreting laws. This separation of powers is a
fundamental safeguard against concentrated authority.
pg 2
Articles of Confederation. This system intentionally created a
weak central government in response to fears of tyranny. Under
the Articles, most power remained with the states, and the national
government lacked the ability to tax, regulate trade, or enforce
laws. There was no executive branch or national judiciary. While
this structure preserved state independence, it ultimately proved
ineffective. Economic instability, interstate conflict, and events
like Shays’ Rebellion revealed that the national government could
not maintain order or address collective problems, leading to calls
for a stronger system.
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was originally intended to
revise the Articles, but delegates instead created an entirely new
framework. The resulting Constitution incorporated key
compromises to balance competing interests. The Great Compromise
established a bicameral legislature, with representation based on
population in the House of Representatives and equal
representation in the Senate. The Three-Fifths Compromise
addressed representation and taxation by counting enslaved
individuals as three-fifths of a person, significantly affecting
political power distribution between North and South. The
Commerce Compromise gave Congress authority over interstate and
international trade while leaving intrastate commerce to the
states.
The Constitution itself establishes the structure and principles of
the U.S. government. It begins with the Preamble, which outlines
the purpose of government as promoting justice, domestic
tranquility, and general welfare. The body of the Constitution is
organized into three branches of government.
Article I establishes the legislative branch, responsible for making
laws. Article II creates the executive branch, responsible for
enforcing laws. Article III establishes the judicial branch,
responsible for interpreting laws. This separation of powers is a
fundamental safeguard against concentrated authority.
pg 2
