I believe that the Union can only be preserved by maintaining inviolate the Constitution of the United States as our fathers have made it. That Constitution guarantees to the people of every State the right to have slavery or not have it…each State being left free to decide for itself. The framers of that Constitution…well understood that each one of the thirteen States had distinct and separate interests, and required distinct and separate local laws and local institutions. —Stephen A. Douglas, Springfield, Illinois, June 17, 1858

Analyze the excerpt from Douglas’s speech by answering the following questions in one paragraph:

-What is Douglas’s point of view regarding the Constitution?
-Which statement from the excerpt shows his point of view?
-Explain how the selected quote shows Douglas’s point of view.
-What is an historical idea or event that supports Douglas’s point of view?

the articles of confederation only set up the continental congress at the federal level. there were no executive or judicial branches except within the states. the states were allowed to keep every right that was not specifically given to congress. the bonding of the states was through a 'firm league of friendship' that best served as a defense agreement against invasion. states were not allowed to use taxes as a way to discourage treaties, and states were extremely limited in their dealings with foreign nations.

not many historians today talk about the strengths of the articles of confederation, likely because of how unpopular the document quickly became. the articles did set the legislative body, congress, as the highest power in the nation because of the fear of monarchy. congress had the sole power to declare war, assign treaties, entertain foreign relations, and operate post offices. disputes between states and territorial issues were to be brought to congress. the document also stipulated that canada was allowed to enter the union if they desired.

there were more weaknesses than strengths under the articles of confederation. the lack of power given to the continental congress strangled the federal government. the articles gave congress the power to pass laws but no power to enforce those laws. if a state did not support a federal law, that state could simply ignore it. congress had no power to levy taxes or regulate trade. without a federal court system or executive leader, there would be no way to enforce these laws, either. amending the articles of confederation would also require a unanimous decision, which would be extremely difficult.

either b) they were often feared and despised by other native cultures. or

c) their obsession allowed them to coexist with many other native cultures because of their peaceful nature.

we need the chart or check box

a phrase from a poem by ralph waldo emerson about the battle of lexington and concord. emerson's words read, “here once the embattled farmers stood / and fired the shot heard round the world.”