AP US GOVERNMENT REVIEW

Declaration of Independence CORRECT ANSWER Letter written to formally declare the 13 colonies independent from Britain Provides justification for the break from Great Britain Is a declaration of natural rights - Rights inherent in human beings, not dependent on governments, which include life, liberty, and property (John Locke) Establishes a foundation for popular sovereignty - "consent of the governed" government's source of authority is the people List of grievances against King George III and Parliament o king is a tyrant o king imposed taxes on colonists o king kept standing armies in the colonies in times of peace Articles of Confederation CORRECT ANSWER Established a government (confederation) for the new, independent states - America's 1st Constitution States maintained their sovereignty - state legislatures had most of the power (no unity) Created a unicameral Congress made up of delegates from the states Made the federal government weak and ineffective Could not regulate commerce and led to economic turmoil Had no Executive to enforce acts of Congress or Federal Courts to settle disputes Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation CORRECT ANSWER Congress unable to levy or collect taxes No centralized military power to address Shays' Rebellion Congress unable to regulate foreign and interstate commerce No national court system