 How would you “form a more perfect union”? Consider the United States as you see it now. What new laws would you consider adding to the constitution? What roles or limits would you put on Congress, the President, or the Supreme Court? Explain why.

Grievances (problems) before The American Revolution How/where were the problems addressed in Declaration of Independence? Proclamation Line of 1763 Sugar Act of 1764 Stamp Act of 1765 Declaratory Act of 1766 Townshend Acts of 1767 Quartering Acts/ “ Boston Massacre” Tea Act of 1773 Intolerable or Coercive Acts of 1774

 Articles of Confederation were strong enough to hold the colonies together throughout the war, yet not strong enough to establish a nation.  Individual colonies coming together for the purpose of independence, but still picturing themselves as separate nations.

No Executive Branch

THE VIRGINIA PLAN THE NEW JERSEY PLAN  A national government based on a 3 branch system:  Bicameral (2) Legislative -based on each state’s population  The Executive  The Judicial Branch  Series of amendments to the Articles of Confederation  Unicameral (1) Legislative -each state had equal representation  Called for a less powerful national government

 Bicameral Legislature 1 based on population 1 each state receives equal votes  But what about slaves? Did they count in population for voting? Taxes? 3/5 Compromise  5 slave = 3 whites  Commerce Congress would have power to regulate foreign trade and interstate commerce No taxation on exports No laws against Slave Trade until after 1808

The Constitutional Convention created a government made up of three branches:  The Legislative Branch has elected representatives from every state - Congress.  The Executive Branch – commander-in-chief of armed forces, signs bills into laws and is entrusted with enforcing the law.  The Judicial Branch is our system of courts. Judges are appointed by the President, are approved by Congress.

The branches divide up the tasks of running the country, but they also check or limit the powers of each other:  The Congress can put the President on trial, known as an impeachment, if they feel that something wrong has been done.  All of the people that the President wants to appoint have to be approved by Congress.  The federal courts can get rid of any law passed by Congress that they think is unconstitutional. Judges are appointed by the President and approved by Congress. Judges serve life terms.

 Why students history?  Prioritize Ideals  Cultural, Political & Economic reasons why colonists immigrated  Image: Boston Teas Party  Reactions to the Crisis – Reactionary -> Radical  Washington Crossing the Delaware  “a more perfect union”