Creating a Nation Revolution to Constitution

After Lexington and Concord, the Second Continental Congress meets in May 1775 They create a Continental Army and make George Washington its leader. They issue the Olive Branch Petition asking for peace with Britain. George III refuses to read it.

On July 4, 1776 the 2 nd Continental Congress issues a Declaration of Independence. Men possessed “inalienable” rights that could not be taken away. “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness” King George had passed laws and taxes that treated the colonies unfairly. The American colonies had a right to break away from Britain.

Major Battles of the Revolutionary War Lexington and Concord Saratoga Valley ForgeYorktown

Major Battles of the Revolutionary War Lexington and Concord Starts the Revolutionary War. Defeat of British at Saratoga convince France and Spain to join America The American army emerges from Valley Forge as a much more professional army. British are defeated at Yorktown, which was the last battle of the war.

America’s First Government – Articles of Confederation After the Revolutionary War, the United States continued to use the Articles of Confederation. It granted the central government the right to set national policies and to carry on foreign relations. It could also borrow money, create post offices and an army, and declare war. It creates a weak central government, giving most of the power to the states.

Shay’s Rebellion Poor economic conditions and high taxes causes a rebellion of farmers led by Daniel Shay. Shows the weakness of the Articles of Confederation as a form of government.

Americans become frustrated over Articles of Confederation They meet in Philadelphia in 1787 to write a new constitution. George Washington is elected president of the Constitutional Convention.

Issues at the Constitutional Convention Representation in the government for large states vs small states. Southern states vs. Northern States Strong national government vs. state’s rights

Virginia Plan Central Government with three branches Bicameral Legislature (Two Houses) Representation based on population New Jersey Plan Central Government similar to Articles. Unicameral Legislature (One House) Equal representation

The Great Compromise or Connecticut Plan Three Branches of Government Bicameral Legislature Lower House (House of Representatives) representation determined by state’s population. Upper House (Senate) representation equal for all states (Two Senators per state)

Slavery and the Three Fifths Compromise Slaves make up 30% to 40% of population in Southern states Southern states wanted to count slaves as population for representation in Congress, but not for taxes. North and South agree that 3/5 of the slave population could be counted for both representation and taxation. Native Americans would not be counted.

The Preamble States the purpose of the Constitution. – We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Getting the Constitution passed People for the Constitution were Federalists. – Believed in strong national government – Mostly people living in cities and the wealthy merchants People against the Constitution were Anti-Federalists. – National government too much like a king – Mostly farmers and wealthy planters

Federalist Papers are written to gain support for Constitution Constitution ratified on September 17, Only after the addition of a Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights First eight amendments guarantee individual rights Ninth amendment stated that listing certain rights did not mean that other rights did not exist Tenth amendment defined delegated powers (central government) and reserved powers (states and individuals)