Freedom Week Creating a Nation

Learning Targets Analyze / evaluate the text , intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution including the Bill of Rights Identify the full text of the first three paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence How did these principles impact historical events in US history? Explain the contributions of Benjamin Rush, John Hancock, John Jay, John Witherspoon, John Peter Muhlenberg, Charles Carroll, and Johnathan Trumbull Sr.

The Declaration of Independence Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson Adopted on 4 July 1776 Consists of four parts The Preamble – Explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration Declaration of Natural Rights – states that people have certain basic rights (unalienable) that should be protected by government

The Declaration of Independence List of Grievances – a list of complaints against the British government. King George III is singled out for blame in many of the grievances Resolution of Independence by the United States – declares the colonies are “free and independent states” with the full power to make war, form alliances, and trade with other countries

Declaration of Independence When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

Declaration of Independence We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness; that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

Declaration of Independence But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

The United States Constitution America’s first government after Independence was the Articles of Confederation The Articles gave the states more power than the central government Congress could not tax states or command any supplies from the states to help fight the Revolutionary War After the war, the Articles led to chaos A rebellion of farmers in Massachusetts, called Shay’s Rebellion, showed the weakness of government

The United States Constitution Alexander Hamilton called for a convention to “revise the Articles of Confederation” Representatives of all states except Rhode Island to draw up a new form of government Delegates included George Washington, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Roger Sherman The convention was held behind closed doors and windows as they did not want public opinion to influence their work

The United States Constitution Most decisions were readily agreed to such as separation of powers, checks and balances, the three branches of government Where they differed was in representation: big states wanted it based on population (Virginia Plan) and small states wanted equal representation (New Jersey Plan)

The United States Constitution Connecticut or Great Compromise Bi-cameral legislature House representation based on population (power of the purse) Senate representation equal – two per state Three-Fifths Compromise Slaves people or property? Three-fifths of the number of slaves in each state to count towards representation and taxation

The United States Constitution Essence of Constitution was Popular Sovereignty – rule by the people Republic – people would elect representatives Federalism – the sharing of power between states and the federal government If anybody were to be recognized as the “father of the US government” it would be Alexander Hamilton

The United States Constitution Ratification Some states ratified quickly Some feared this new government would become as oppressive as the British one To allay these fears, the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) was added to the Constitution New York was still undecided Essays were published to sway the vote – those advocating ratification were called the Federalist Papers, those against were called the Anti- Federalist Papers

The United States Constitution Nine states were needed to ratify to make the Constitution official The Constitution was made official in 1789 – America had a new government Last of the thirteen states to ratify was Rhode Island – 1790 James Madison is generally recognized as the “Father of the Constitution”

Assignment Students may work individually, in pairs, or in groups of three Students will complete ONE of the following Restate the first ten amendments in everyday language Draw cartoons/pictures that explain the first ten amendments Explain the first ten amendments as a children’s story

Assignment Students will choose a “founding father” and prepare a biography Students may work individually, in pairs, or in groups of three Groups will present their findings to the class What groups MUST cover: Name Who was he in American society? (Occupation, status, accomplishments) What impact did he specifically have on America’s founding?