Declaration of Independence

What is it? A document stating the United States’ independence from Britain. Signed on July 4, 1776 Signatures include  Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams

PREAMBLE We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, Establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility Not the King  U.S. is a Democracy Better Union of states than before Create fair legal system Keep things peaceful at home

Provide for the common defense, Promote the general Welfare Join together to defend Help support people’s wellbeing

And secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and out Posterity, Do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Make sure freedom and liberty to around for us and future generations The People have created and agreed to follow this new government.

In 1777, the Americans wrote their first plan for government in a document called the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation? What’s a confederation?? A confederation is a _________ of individuals _______ together for a _________. The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation group united purpose

Each state was _________________ and had its own ________________. Each state was _________________ and had its own ________________. Each state would send _______________ to the “Congress of the Confederation.” Each state would send _______________ to the “Congress of the Confederation.” The Congress was the only ____________ government. There was no ___________. The Congress was the only ____________ government. There was no ___________. In Congress, each state got _______ vote. In Congress, each state got _______ vote. independent government representatives central President one

Congress had no way to __________ its _______! Congress had no way to __________ its _______! Congress had no power to collect _________ to pay for the military! Congress had no power to collect _________ to pay for the military! The Articles could only be _________ if ______ the states agreed! The Articles could only be _________ if ______ the states agreed! States get to keep their ______ and ____________ States get to keep their ______ and ____________ No _____________ telling the states what to do No _____________ telling the states what to do Congress had the power to create a _________ to ________all the states Congress had the power to create a _________ to ________all the states The First Attempt: The Articles of Confederation Hey, this sounds great!Wait! Not so fast… independencepower government military protect enforcelaws taxes changed ALL

Under the Articles of Confederation, a President would lead the country.  True  False

States would be independent under the Articles of Confederation.  True  False

The Articles of Confederation created the first American government.  True  False

There were some good things and some bad things about the Articles of Confederation. In general, people felt like the government wasn’t working! Congress is too weak to end the conflicts between our states!

But there was no easy solution… Large states should have more say! Small states should have more say! More help for fishermen! More help for farmers! Up with central government! Down with central government! We need a President! Who needs a President?

States Had Different Needs Some states depended on fishing, while others mostly grew crops.

States Had Different Sizes Some states had many people, while others had few.

People Had Different Opinions Some people feared Others thought a central government was necessary. a central government. A central government will have too much power! We’ll lose our freedom! But we’ll never get anything done if no one is in charge!!

Something needed to change, but people didn’t want a central government to have too much power!

Everybody thought the central government should have more power.  True  False

Some people were afraid states might lose their independence.  True  False

Different states had different needs for government to meet.  True  False

Articles of Confederation New Idea A New Idea! 1 Branch Legislative—makes laws 3 Branches

A New Idea! Legislative: Makes laws Judicial: Interprets laws Executive: Carries out laws But Wait! How many should each state get in the legislature? votes

Each state gets to send representatives to the legislature. Which states would have the most power if… The more people a state had, the more representatives it got? The more people a state had, the more representatives it got? Answer: The more people, the more power!

Each state gets to send representatives to the legislature. Which states would have the most power if… Each state got one vote, no matter how small? Each state got one vote, no matter how small? Answer: People in the small states would have more power.

The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan Battle of the Plans Legislative branch has ___ “chambers” Legislative branch has ___ “chambers” Number of votes for each state depends on the state’s ___________ Number of votes for each state depends on the state’s ___________ ________ states would have more power ________ states would have more power population 2 Larger Legislative branch has ___ “chamber” Legislative branch has ___ “chamber” Each state gets ___ vote Each state gets ___ vote ________ states would have more power ________ states would have more power 1 Smaller 1 (Virginia was a large state, and New Jersey was a small state. Surprise!)

 All states should have the same power  Larger states should have more power Is it more fair for every state to have the same amount of power no matter how few people live there, or should states with more people have more power? WHY?

There were a lot of differences to overcome and a lot of compromises to make…but finally… The Constitution of the United States of America

Legislative: Makes laws Judicial: Interprets laws Executive: Carries out laws Divide Congress Into Two Houses Senate House of Representatives Each state gets 2 votes. The more people the state has, the more votes it gets! DEPENDS ON POPULATION The Great Compromise