1. Bellwork
What is the meaning of this political cartoon (created In 1754)?

2. Learner Outcome:
You will investigate why the colonists desired independence and a more limited government, giving at least three examples.
You will identify 3 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

3. Declaration of Independence Part 1: The Key Ideas of Government:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed;
that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it and to institute a new form of government.”
[The new government] laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness. A2

4. Declaration of Independence Part 2: King’s Faults
“HE has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly…”
“HE has kept among us, in time of peace, standing armies…”
“For quartering [housing] large bodies of armed troops among us…”
“For cutting off our trade with all parts of the world…”
“For imposing taxes on us without our consent…”
1. Who is HE?
2. Are these complaints true? Give some examples.
3. Why would Jefferson include these statements in the Declaration of Independence?
4. In your opinion, which complaint was the worst? Give your reason why.
A2, discuss in A3

5. Declaration of Independence Part 3: Breaking Ties
“We, therefore, the Representatives …. declare, That these united Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States, that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved…
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.
A2, A3

6. United States Coat of Arms
The bald eagle is a symbol of the United States of America, because of its long life, great strength and majestic looks It also represent s FREEDOM.
13 arrows represent the 13 original states.
Olive Branch symbolizing that the United States of America has "a strong desire for peace, but will always be ready for war."
The head is turned towards the olive branch as a preference of peace.
E Pluribus Unum – “Out of Many, One"

7. Articles of Confederation
After declaring Independence in 1776 the new Americans adopted the Articles of Confederation as their government.
They established a WEAK central government and most of the power laid with the states. 7

8. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Congress (Legislative Branch)
EACH STATE GOT ONE VOTE
WHAT ARE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THIS FEATURE?

9. LAWS NEEDED APPROVAL BY 9 OF 13 STATES
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Congress (Legislative Branch)
LAWS NEEDED APPROVAL BY 9 OF 13 STATES
What are some possible problems with this feature? 9

10. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Congress (Legislative Branch)
AMENDMENTS (CHANGES) HAD TO BE APPROVED BY ALL 13 STATES
What are some possible problems with this feature?

11. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Congress (Legislative Branch)
IT HAD NO POWER TO DRAFT AN ARMY. IT COULD ONLY REQUEST STATES TO SEND MEN FOR MILITARY SERVICES.
Why was this included?
What are some possible problems with this feature? 11

12. It had no power to settle disputes between states.
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Congress (Legislative Branch)
It had no power to settle disputes between states.
Example: Connecticut and Virginia almost went to war over land claims!

13. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Congress (Legislative Branch)
It had no power to coin money, so The U.S. did not have a common currency.
Americans carried money from the federal government, state government, and foreign nations.

14. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Congress (Legislative Branch)
It had no power to tax citizens. It could only request tax money from the states.
What are some possible problems with this feature? 14

15. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Congress (Legislative Branch)
It had no power to collect state debts owed to the federal (national) government.
The U.S. was unable to pay its debts!
Examples:
The U.S. owed money to France, Holland, and Spain for loans made during the Revolutionary War.
The U.S. had not paid many of its own soldiers!

16. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with President (Executive Branch)
The nation did not have a President, or Chief Executive.
What are some of the possible problems with this feature?
White House

17. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
Problems with Courts (Judicial Branch)
The nation lacked a national court system.
What are some of the possible problems with this feature?
Supreme Court