Formation of the United States Government

American Revolution America was originally a British colony The U.S. won it’s independence and became it’s own country during the American Revolution The Declaration of Independence was written and approved during the American Revolution to formally announce separation from Great Britain

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson Approved on July 4, 1776 Provides persuasive argument for why Americans want independence from the British king

Articles of Confederation

First law of the land of the U.S. Went into effect in 1781 Created a loose confederation of states

Why don’t we still have it? IT WAS TOO WEAK!!! No executive Congress could not tax, regulate trade between states or enforce laws Shays’ Rebellion showed the government was too weak to handle a crisis and led to a call for a constitutional convention to fix the problem.

Constitutional Convention

The Articles weren’t working, so the founding fathers got together to revise them.

WHO? All 13 states except Rhode Island Leading Americans like Benjamin Franklin, George Washington and James Madison

WHAT? Meeting to fix the AOC; the delegates end up making a new Constitution

WHEN? May 1787

WHERE? Pennsylvania State house Same place Declaration of Independence was signed

WHY? National government too weak Problems with trade between states Shays’ Rebellion

Major Conflicts of Convention Representation  large state vs. small states Slavery  North vs. South

Goal of Convention? COMPROMISE!!!!