1. Moving Towards Nationhood
Ch. 4
Sec. 3 Pp

2. How did the early Americans strengthen and improve the government?
Essential Question
How did the early Americans strengthen and improve the government?

3. A Clash of Views England said Parliament represented colonists
Parliament said only trade with England
Colonists said it did not
Colonists wanted freedom to trade with others

4. A Clash of Views England taxed colonies to pay for European wars
1774 – First Continental Congress meets in Philadelphia
1775 – Second Continental Congress

5. Declaration of Independence
Outlined the reasons that the colonists wanted to separate from England
It said England was abusing its power

6. Organizing a New Government
Each state created a constitution
Articles of Confederation – created a national legislature, but a weak form of government because states were worried a strong government would take away their power
Congress had no power to tax or enforce laws

7. A Limping Government Problems with debt and foreign trade
Shay’s Rebellion – Massachusetts’ legislature raised taxes on land to pay for war debt. Farmers who could not pay could lose their land.
Daniel Shays, war hero, led hundreds of farmers who disrupted courthouses and the state militia crushed the rebellion.

8. The Declaration of Independence