Declaration of Independence A contemporaneous print representing the committee of five delegates, chaired by Thomas Jefferson, that was appointed to prepare a declaration of independence. They are shown submitting their draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress, June 28, 1776

I. Declaration of Independence *Declaration -a public announcement 1. Written by Thomas Jefferson -in Philadelphia a. Explained why Colonists wanted freedom b. Announced formation of a new Nation c. Written after start of American Revolution

I. Declaration of Independence continued… 2. Stated “Unalienable Rights” a. Life b. Liberty c. Pursuit of Happiness *Unalienable -Cannot be restricted or denied 3. 2 nd Continental Congress A bell for the Pennsylvania State House was cast in London, England, however, it cracked soon after it arrived in Philadelphia. Local craftsmen John Pass and John Stow cast a new bell in 1753, using metal from the English bell. Their names appear on the front of the bell, along with the city and the date.

I. Declaration of Independence continued… 4. Importance of the D of I a. All men created equal b. All men have rights c. Government subject to people d. Basis for government -not a Constitution

II. Articles of Confederation 1. 1 st U.S. Constitution 2. Made central Government weak a. Unable to collect taxes -bankrupt b. All 13 states needed to approve articles -laws were not getting passed c. Created after the Declaration of Independence

III. Shay’s Rebellion 1. Central government too weak 2. Local governments too powerful a. Took land away form farmers -farmers rebel -demand a stronger central government *Symbolic that U.S.A. needed a more defined and powerful government. -1 st step toward writing the Constitution