1. On your Notes Sheet… 1. Write your interpretation of this Quote. 2
On your Notes Sheet… 1. Write your interpretation of this Quote. 2. Where is this quote from? 3. List two people that inspired this quote.
“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.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

2. America’s First Government
The Articles of the Confederation

3. End of the Revolution
Treaty of Paris End to the American Revolution
Recognized US independence
Set US boundaries at the Mississippi River

4. Early State Constitutions
After the Declaration of Independence was signed, each state set up their own form of government
New Hampshire was the first state with a constitution (plan for gov’t)
Within a few years all states had ratified (passed) their own constitutions

5. Early State Constitutions continued…
States had
Legislatures to create laws
Bicameral legislature (2 houses)
Governors (elected by the citizens or by the legislatures)
laws
Courts and Judges
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6. Federalism the distribution of power in a government between a central authority and the constitutional units (states)

7. The Articles of the Confederation
The first constitution of the US
Proposed by the Continental Congress November 17, 1777
Ratified by all the states on March 1, 1781
The Confederation created a “league of friendship” coming together for one purpose

8. The Articles of the Confederation continued…
Powers of Congress under the Articles
Make war and peace (treaties)
Set up a money system
Establish post offices
Build a navy
Raise an army by asking the States for troops
Fix uniform standards of weights and measures
Settle disputes among the states

9. The Articles of the Confederation continued…
State obligations under the Articles
Obey the Articles and acts of Congress
Provide funds and troops requested by Congress
Treat citizens from other States fairly and equally
Submit disputes to Congress for settlement
Allow open travel and trade between and among the States

10. The Articles of the Confederation continued…
Weaknesses in the Articles
One vote for each State, regardless of size
Congress (federal government) was powerless to collect taxes
Congress was powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce (trade)

11. The Articles of the Confederation continued…
Weaknesses continued…
No executive to enforce the acts of Congress
No national court system
Amendments passed only with the consent of all States
9/13 majority required to pass laws
Articles said only a “firm league of friendship”

12. Accomplishments Under the Articles
Ordinance of Created a way to measure and sale land west of the Appalachian Mountains
Northwest Ordinance- Created a way for new states to enter the Union; also outlawed slavery in Western territory

13. Shay’s Rebellion States raised taxes to pay for the Revolution
Farmers like Daniel Shay, were in debt because of heavy taxes
Massachusetts decided to take his farm for payment of his debt
Shay and 1200 other farmers attacked a federal arsenal
Served as a warning- Articles did not have power to enforce the laws