Creating the Constitution

• Republic- a government where people elect their representatives.

• Some patriots wanted people to have more power over government.

• More conservative patriots did not want common people having that much power.

Rejecting executive power

• Unicameral legislature- a single house, whose members were elected by the people.

• Pennsylvania and Georgia adopted this style.

Colonial Traditions • Bicameral legislature- law making body with

two houses, a Senate, and a House of Representatives.

• House of Reps- For the common voters• Senate- For the wealthy and well educated

gentleman.

Who could vote?

• democratic patriots wanted equal rights for ALMOST all free men.

• little or no property.• must be 21.

• Conservative Patriots wanted property requirements.

• allowing poor men to vote will “ confound and destroy all distinctions, and prostrate all ranks to the common level.” - John Adams

**Articles of Confederation

• In 1777, the Continental Congress drafted the original constitution for the Union of the states.

• no strong and centralized nation.• reflected the principles of the Declaration

of Independence.

• Federal- a government consisted of a congress of delegates, chosen by state legislatures rather than voters.