On your Notes Sheet… 1. Write your interpretation of this Quote. 2 On your Notes Sheet… 1. Write your interpretation of this Quote. 2. Where is this quote from? 3. List two people that inspired this quote. “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…”

America’s First Government The Articles of the Confederation

End of the Revolution Treaty of Paris 1783- End to the American Revolution Recognized US independence Set US boundaries at the Mississippi River

Early State Constitutions After the Declaration of Independence was signed, each state set up their own form of government New Hampshire was the first state with a constitution (plan for gov’t) Within a few years all states had ratified (passed) their own constitutions

Early State Constitutions continued… States had Legislatures to create laws Bicameral legislature (2 houses) Governors (elected by the citizens or by the legislatures) laws Courts and Judges Images may be subject to copyright.Send feedback                             History of the United States - Simple English Wikipedia, the free ... simple.wikipedia.org180 × 237Search by image ... brought to America by the Europeans. The ones who lived lost their lands ... Related images: View more

Federalism the distribution of power in a government between a central authority and the constitutional units (states)

The Articles of the Confederation The first constitution of the US Proposed by the Continental Congress November 17, 1777 Ratified by all the states on March 1, 1781 The Confederation created a “league of friendship” coming together for one purpose

The Articles of the Confederation continued… Powers of Congress under the Articles Make war and peace (treaties) Set up a money system Establish post offices Build a navy Raise an army by asking the States for troops Fix uniform standards of weights and measures Settle disputes among the states

The Articles of the Confederation continued… State obligations under the Articles Obey the Articles and acts of Congress Provide funds and troops requested by Congress Treat citizens from other States fairly and equally Submit disputes to Congress for settlement Allow open travel and trade between and among the States

The Articles of the Confederation continued… Weaknesses in the Articles One vote for each State, regardless of size Congress (federal government) was powerless to collect taxes Congress was powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce (trade)

The Articles of the Confederation continued… Weaknesses continued… No executive to enforce the acts of Congress No national court system Amendments passed only with the consent of all States 9/13 majority required to pass laws Articles said only a “firm league of friendship”

Accomplishments Under the Articles Ordinance of 1785- Created a way to measure and sale land west of the Appalachian Mountains Northwest Ordinance- Created a way for new states to enter the Union; also outlawed slavery in Western territory

Shay’s Rebellion States raised taxes to pay for the Revolution Farmers like Daniel Shay, were in debt because of heavy taxes Massachusetts decided to take his farm for payment of his debt Shay and 1200 other farmers attacked a federal arsenal Served as a warning- Articles did not have power to enforce the laws