Why the big Break UP? England believed that parliament represented the colonists. The colonists believed they were represented by their own representatives.

No Taxation without Representation! To make people pay taxes, England gave the governor’s greater power. People were thrown in jail for not paying taxes. The Cry went out… The Cry went out…

A United Front Colonists decided they needed a united response to Parliament’s threats.

1 st Continental Congress In 1774 delegates from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. In 1774 delegates from 12 colonies met in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. To pressure England, they pledged to cut off all trade with England. To pressure England, they pledged to cut off all trade with England. They agreed to meet again in a year if the situation did not improve. They agreed to meet again in a year if the situation did not improve.

One year later….. By the time the Second Continental Congress met in 1775, in Massachusetts were already fighting English soldiers. By the time the Second Continental Congress met in 1775, in Massachusetts were already fighting English soldiers.

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death! Patrick Henry, argued for independence. He stated, that there was no turning back now. Patrick Henry, argued for independence. He stated, that there was no turning back now.

COMMON SENSE In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote and published COMMON SENSE. In 1776, Thomas Paine wrote and published COMMON SENSE. He said England belongs to Europe and America to itself. He said England belongs to Europe and America to itself.

The Declaration of Independence The members of the Second Continental Congress voted for independence and appointed a committee to write the Declaration Of Independence. The members of the Second Continental Congress voted for independence and appointed a committee to write the Declaration Of Independence.

Committee Members Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams. Jefferson was asked to do the actual writing.

Natural Rights John Locke’s influence “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” - “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” -

Office of the Citizen The people give their power to the government as long as it protects their rights. The people give their power to the government as long as it protects their rights. To secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the Governed.” To secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the Governed.” If the government abuses this power – they the people may change it. If the government abuses this power – they the people may change it. “Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.” “Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government.”

The Declaration is adopted This Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, It proclaimed that “these colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.” This Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, It proclaimed that “these colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States.”

New Government Now that the colonies were free and independent states, they had to organize their own government. Now that the colonies were free and independent states, they had to organize their own government. A COMPACT is a written agreement to make and obey the laws for the welfare of the group. A COMPACT is a written agreement to make and obey the laws for the welfare of the group.

State Constitutions Each state created a CONSTITUTION – or plan of government. Each state created a CONSTITUTION – or plan of government. included rights for citizens, limits of the government power, and to protect against tyranny – the # of years a governor could hold office. included rights for citizens, limits of the government power, and to protect against tyranny – the # of years a governor could hold office.

Montesquieu Each state also used MONTESQUIEU’s idea of separating powers into three branches. Legislature was given the most power because it most directly represented interests of the citizens. Each state also used MONTESQUIEU’s idea of separating powers into three branches. Legislature was given the most power because it most directly represented interests of the citizens.

Articles of Confederation A plan was drawn up for an alliance of independent states in This compact, known as THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION A plan was drawn up for an alliance of independent states in This compact, known as THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

Under the Articles of Confederation There would be no executive or judicial branches of national government under the Articles of Confederation. There would be no executive or judicial branches of national government under the Articles of Confederation. The national legislature – known as CONGRESS – was given power to declare war, make treaties, and work out trade agreement between states. The national legislature – known as CONGRESS – was given power to declare war, make treaties, and work out trade agreement between states.

Articles of Confederation No power to tax or enforce laws – this power was only given to states. No power to tax or enforce laws – this power was only given to states. It needed RATIFICATION (approval) before it could go into effect. It needed RATIFICATION (approval) before it could go into effect. All 13 states had to approve the plan. All 13 states had to approve the plan. It took 4 years before the Articles of Confederation was ratified in It took 4 years before the Articles of Confederation was ratified in 1781.

THE LIMPING GOVERNMENT The Revolutionary War was won by General George Washington and his troops. However, the government had new challenges to face. The Revolutionary War was won by General George Washington and his troops. However, the government had new challenges to face.

Debt & Trade The colonies had borrowed money to buy war supplies to fight for independence. The colonies had borrowed money to buy war supplies to fight for independence. Congress could not regulate trade. Congress could not regulate trade. England would not allow Americans to trade in the British West Indies. England would not allow Americans to trade in the British West Indies.

Farmers in Debt Many farmers slid into debt – because they couldn’t sell their crops. In addition – to try and pay the war debts, states had raised taxes. Many farmers slid into debt – because they couldn’t sell their crops. In addition – to try and pay the war debts, states had raised taxes. Farmers unable to pay taxes, or sell their goods – faced losing their farms. Farmers unable to pay taxes, or sell their goods – faced losing their farms. Courts threatened to sell their farms to raise money to pay their taxes. Courts threatened to sell their farms to raise money to pay their taxes.

Shays’ Rebellion In 1786, angry MA farmers led by a former war hero DANIEL SHAYS, stormed into the courthouse to disrupt business. In 1786, angry MA farmers led by a former war hero DANIEL SHAYS, stormed into the courthouse to disrupt business.

Shays’ Rebellion Congress didn’t have power to force other states to help put down the uprising because there was not a strong central government. Congress didn’t have power to force other states to help put down the uprising because there was not a strong central government. MA had to use it’s own state militia to crush the rebellion. MA had to use it’s own state militia to crush the rebellion.

Stronger Government Many called for a stronger national government that could keep law and order and solve the economic problems that led to Shays Rebellion. Many called for a stronger national government that could keep law and order and solve the economic problems that led to Shays Rebellion.