Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation Constitution

Continental Congresses First Congress 1774 Second Congress- 1775 Called in response to the passing of the Intolerable Acts Boycott of British goods List of grievances Petition to king for grievances King didn’t listen to any petition Managed the war effort Created the Continental Army Drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776 Drafted the Articles of Confederation

Declaration of Independence Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson Committee: John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert R. Livingston, and Roger Sherman John Hancock-president of the Congress signed first- big enough that the king in England could read his name without his glasses Signed by a majority of the delegates on July 4th, a few signed on August 2 July 4th officially became our day of Independence Signing the declaration meant also signing their death sentence should the colonists lose the war. John Hancock- we shall now "all hang together", and Benjamin Franklin replied: "Yes, we must indeed all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."

Creation of a Constitution Articles of Confederation- Drafted in 1777- ratified 1781 Had 13 articles: Name of union- ‘United States of America’ Each state has own freedom and sovereignty League of friendship-for protection Anyone can pass freely between the states One vote per state Only central government can declare war Taxes will be paid by state government

Constitution Official constitution is created 1787 Convention in Philadelphia Balance of power Legislative- law makers, Judicial- interpreters of the law, Executive- law enforcement Two house legislature- house of reps, senate Judicial- several levels of courts- local, state, and national Head of state- president and vice president

Constitution Bill of Rights- Federal law is the law of the land 10 amendments that spell out individual freedoms Federal law is the law of the land States have the right to pass separate laws that are required for that state but not mandated by the federal government

Constitution Citizens allowed to petition the government for change Amendments can be suggested to the constitution at any time, but they must approved by the people Direct election of house of reps, senate, governors, and state officials Electoral college election of president

Constitution- Balance of Power