1. Historical Background of the Constitution I
September 7, 2017

2. In the Beginning
Before the United States was the United States, what country controlled the area that is now the East Coast of the United States?
What was the legal status of the area that is now the eastern United States?
What other countries had a foothold on the continent?

3. British North American Colonies
The 13 original colonies were the British North American Colonies. France and Spain also controlled territory in North America.

4. What are the advantages and disadvan-tages of unitary government?
UK is a Unitary System
A unitary government is a political system in which the central government holds authority over and makes decisions for state and local governments.
What are the advantages and disadvan-tages of unitary government?
Unitary government provides for uniformity in laws and regulations nationwide.

5. Colonial Government in America
13 separate colonies as opposed to single entity
Each colony had a governor appointed by the king
Locally elected legislatures had the power of the purse
London was a long ways off, literally and politically
Americans were pleased with the arrangement
This doesn’t sound like the unitary system we just described and, in practice, it wasn’t. Why not?
Americans were largely left alone.

6. What was the fight about?
French & Indian War ( )
Who fought?
What was the fight about?
Who won?

7. British Change Colonial System
War was fought for control of North America
Britain was left with a war debt
British imposed taxes on sugar, tea, and stamps to pay off the war debt
British stationed troops in the colonies to enforce treaties with the Indians
British had the power to do this because Britain is unitary
Do you think that the Americans liked this? Why or why not? Do you think the British understood why they didn’t like it? Why or why not?

8. Americans outraged No Americans in parliament
“Taxation without representation”
Argument made no sense to the British
Sides grew further apart with neither understanding the other
Declaration of Independence in July, 1776
Thomas Jefferson is principle author

9. What You Have Learned
What was the original legal status of the land that became the United States?
What is a unitary system? Did the colonies function like a unitary system?
How did the French & Indian War and its aftermath affect the colonies?
Why were the American colonists unhappy with British rule after 1763?