1. The Declaration of Independence

2. Declaration of Independence
What’s included the Declaration?
The colonists told Great Britain that they were a separate, independent nation.
Why is it so important?
It was symbolic. Complained about the king and his treatment of the colonists.

3. Declaration of Independence
What’s NOT in the Declaration?
It DID NOT make laws for a new government.
Instead, the Declaration……………
created a framework for the kind of government the Founding Fathers wanted to create.

4. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION (AOC) 1781-89
The AOC were America’s 1st FORM OF GOVERNMENT
The AOC lasted 8 years.

5. Problems with the Articles of Confederation
It created a UNICAMERAL CONGRESS, which means one lawmaking house
It did not include an EXECUTIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCH.
It gave NO POWER TO TAX OR REGULATE INTERSTATE TRADE .
It created a DECENTRALIZED government and a WEAK UNION OF 13 SEPARATE STATES.

6. Problems with the Articles of Confederation
Shay’s Rebellion is an event that showed that the AOC weren’t working & the federal government did not have enough control.
Each state was operating like a separate country.
A stronger federal government was needed!

7. The United States Constitution

8. The Constitutional Convention
The Founding Fathers gathered on May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
George Washington presided over the Convention.
Sept. 17, delegates signed.
It was provided that the Constitution would go into effect when 9 states ratified it.
James Madison, known as “Father of the Constitution” credited with writing most of the Constitution.

9. Ratification and Amending
VA & NY refused to ratify without a Bill of Rights
1789- New Government began functioning.
1791- Bill of Rights was added, two years after Constitution went into effect
Bill of Rights are the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution.
Patrick Henry of VA spoke fervently against ratification.

10. Characteristics of the Constitution
Three Branches of Government
Checks and Balances
Bicameral Legislative branch
Power to tax and regulate interstate trade
Centralized power
Review notes on the Articles – how are they different?

11. Bicameral Legislature (2 lawmaking houses)
(1) Senate
2 Representatives from each state (100 total)
(2) House of Representatives based on population of state (435 total)

12. Capitol Building – Washington D.C.
The location of the two houses

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Centralized

15. Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
Federalists favored ratification
Wanted strong federal government
Usually wealthy merchants, planters and lawyers
Hoped would provide security and prevent rebellion
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers to defend their ideas

16. Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
Anti-Federalists opposed ratification
Feared a strong federal government
Thought constitutional convention was too secret
Favored states’ rights
Thought constitution resembled monarchy
Disliked the idea of the electors, chosen (like Senators at that time) by state legislators, choosing the President & VP