1. Our Colonies ARGUING FOR RIGHTS & Declaring Independence

2. COLONIES TRY TO DEAL WITH THE KING
FIRST Continental Congress
1774 Met in Philadelphia
Made a document to the King of England demanding their rights
The King responded by FORCE.
Two battles in Massachusetts took place , basically the first of the Revolutionary War.
SECOND Continental Congress
-1775 Met in Philadelphia
They debated about demanding Independence
Some believed we couldn’t win a war against Great Britain
Thomas Paine made a pamphlet called “Common Sense” saying we SHOULD be Independent
So, they DID make a DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE to send to the King
Thomas Jefferson wrote most
Protecting Natural Rights was central

3. THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
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1. Americans realized that to win a war they would need a single strong army
2. Thirteen separate governments and armies would not stand up to the British
3. A plan for the union of the states, THE FIRST CONSTITUTION
4. Set up a one house legislature, EACH state had ONE vote
5. This government did two things: control the army, deal with other nations
6.Weaknesses: collected NO taxes, NO power to enforce laws, NO single leader, NO courts, all 13 states had to agree to changes
7. This CONFEDERATION CONGRESS had no real power to solve big problems

4. Declaration OF INDEPENDENCE
Page Civics Today
FOUR PARTS
Preamble – “beginning” “the forward” ”the setup”
- Explains WHY the Continental Congress made the Declaration of Independence
2. Declaration of NATURAL RIGHTS
- Lists the rights of the citizens and explains government is to protect the natural rights
3. List of Grievances
- Lists colonist’s complaints against the British Government and blames King George III
4. Resolution of Independence by the “U.S.”
- Declares that the colonies are “free and independent states” and can trade, make war, and form alliances with other countries

5. Constitutional Compromises
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VIRGINIA PLAN
NEW JERSEY PLAN
-3 Branches Government
-Legislature would be DIVIDED in 2 “Houses”
-States represented based on POPULATION, unequal representation
(advantage to large states)
-3 Branches of Government
-Legislature would be UNITED in 1 “House”
-States represented EQUALLY each
(no advantage to any state)
THE GREAT COMPROMISE
-3 Branches of Government
-Legislature would have 2 “Houses
Senate – each state equal
2. House of Representatives – based on population

6. Constitutional Compromises
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WHO ELECTS THE PRESIDENT???
Congress votes for President
Citizens all vote for President
ELECTORAL COLLEGE
- Group of people chosen by the voters (used to be state legislature) to select the President & Vice President