1. Section 1
Forming a
Union

2. State Constitutions
Formation of a New Government
Colonists concerned over amount of power given to leaders. Why?
Most states developed bicameral legislatures
Created laws
Voter elected in most states
Executive branch
Carried out laws
Very little power
Usually one-year terms

3. Rights of Citizens
Freedoms varied from state to state such as voting
Idea “all men are created equal”
Americans question slavery
1804 – all northern states ban slavery
Most states had a bill of rights

4. Articles of Confederation
State Worries
Citizens felt loyalty to states, not nation
Nov 15, 1777 – Continental Congress passes the Article of Confederation
National constitution
Would go into effect after approval by all states

5. Claims in the West
Several states claimed large tracts of western land
States with no western land wanted those claims to belong to the national government
Worried some states would become too powerful

6. Articles Ratified
Ratified in 1781 when Virginia gave up land claims
Focused on state rights
Weak National Government
Why? – Bad experience with British Monarchy
Each state had one vote
Could declare war, raise an army and navy, make treaties, borrow money, establish a postal system, and conduct business with Native Americans and other countries

7. Weaknesses of the Articles
Weaker than state governments
States had to enforce laws
No court system
Larger states thought they should have more than one vote
Couldn’t collect taxes
Could not support wars
Could not pay for national services

8. Adopted
November 15, 1777
Approved by all states
March 1, 1781

9. Our 1st, 11th, or 16th President?
George Washington
Our 1st, 11th, or 16th President?

10. Samuel Huntington
Elias Boudinot
Thomas McKean
Thomas Mifflin
John Hanson
Richard Henry Lee

11. John Hancock
Arthur St. Clair
Nathaniel Gorham
Cyrus Griffin

12. First Continental Congress
What about
Peyton Randolph?
First President
of the
First Continental Congress

13. Thomas McKean was the first President simply titled “President of the United States” in any official documents.

14. The Great
Turkey or
Eagle
Debate

15. For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly.

16. The Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red coat on.

17. Franklin tried to argue on the Turkeys behalf but to no avail
Franklin tried to argue on the Turkeys behalf but to no avail... Congress told Franklin to "go fly a kite!" Which he did.
Ever since that day, the Eagle has been our mascot, but politics has been filled with turkeys.
As for the Turkey he got his own holiday, Thanksgiving. Of course they don't eat an Eagle on the Fourth of July, now do they?

18. The Eagle was placed on the Great Seal in 1782.