First Documents Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation

What does C(c)ongress mean? Big “C” The lawmaking body of a country Little “c” A meeting, usually formal

Leading to Independence First continental congress –colonies decided to boycott British goods British declared colonies to be in a state of rebellion Second continental congress (SCC)–elected a President and formed a military to fight the British, acted as government throughout Revolutionary War SCC decided that the United Colonies should be free and independent states, wrote Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence SCC agreed to write a document that would declare independence from Great Britain Thomas Jefferson wrote it in 3 parts: Beginning: Statement of purpose and basic human rights Middle: Specific complaints against King George III End: Efforts to reach a peaceful solution didn ’ t work, needed to break with Great Britain

A New Government - Articles of Confederation The AoC continued the structure and operation of government that the SCC established States wanted confederation rather than national government Why?

Make Up of the AoC

Congress under the AoC Had only the powers appointed, all others were left to the states Powers: War Foreign policies Military Indians Mail Handle disputes between states What’s missing??

Weaknesses No power over taxes Had to borrow and ask for money from states No power to regulate trade Problems making business arrangements with other countries Disputes between states Laws needed approval of 9 out of 13 states laws were rarely passed or amended No executive branch No way to coordinate the policies that different committees were making No national court system States enforced and interpreted on their own laws

Achievements Peace treaty with Great Britain Recognized American independence Set up departments of Foreign Affairs, War, Marine, and Treasury Each had own Secretary Set precedent Precedent is the first time something is done; it is setting the example for the future

Shays ’ Rebellion States were fighting over borders and tariffs Government was in serious debt as were individual states Daniel Shays led farmers to shut down Mass. State supreme court to stop them from taking their farms When no new laws were passed, he led 1,200 men to attack a federal arsenal As a result, state delegates called for a convention to revise the Articles.