Moving Towards Nationhood Ch. 4 Sec. 3 Pp. 95-101

How did the early Americans strengthen and improve the government? Essential Question How did the early Americans strengthen and improve the government?

A Clash of Views England said Parliament represented colonists Parliament said only trade with England Colonists said it did not Colonists wanted freedom to trade with others

A Clash of Views England taxed colonies to pay for European wars 1774 – First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia 1775 – Second Continental Congress

Declaration of Independence Outlined the reasons that the colonists wanted to separate from England It said England was abusing its power

Organizing a New Government Each state created a constitution Articles of Confederation – created a national legislature, but a weak form of government because states were worried a strong government would take away their power Congress had no power to tax or enforce laws

A Limping Government Problems with debt and foreign trade Shay’s Rebellion – Massachusetts’ legislature raised taxes on land to pay for war debt. Farmers who could not pay could lose their land. Daniel Shays, war hero, led hundreds of farmers who disrupted courthouses and the state militia crushed the rebellion.

The Declaration of Independence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZfRaWAtBVg