1. The First government
Chapter 2, section 2

2. Why is the Declaration of Independence so important?
Opening question, 9/6
Why is the Declaration of Independence so important?

3. The declaration of independence
1775: colonists were angry about new taxes and actions of British Parliament, and went to war.
1776: Continental Congress met in Philadelphia.
Delegates appointed a committee to create a Declaration of Independence.
Approved on July 4, 1776
The DoI lists the reasons the colonists decided to separate from Great Britain.
Power comes from the consent of the governed.

4. The Doi, cont’d A statement of American ideals.
The purpose of government is to protect human rights. (Basic rights to which all people are entitled.)
“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.”
The Continental Congress knew these ideals would be difficult to achieve.
Symbol of freedom.

5. The articles of confederation
1777: The Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation
Approved in 1781 by the 13 newly formed states
Confederation: A loose association of states.
Each state was to have equal power, and mostly independent from other states
Central government had limited power
Had a Congress.
Each state had a vote

6. The aoC, cont’d
Wanted to preserve state sovereignty, or absolute power.
Gave the power to enforce national laws to the states.
Did not establish a national court system.
While the Revolution was still going on, the new states had problems working together.
The AOC didn’t give the new government the power it needed to solve post-Revolutionary problems.
People thought of themselves as citizens of just their state, not the US.
Made it difficult to agree on anything.

7. The aoc, cont’d
Weaknesses became clear when states started facing new issues.
Fights over boundaries and trade.
National government was powerless to handle these.
Other nations perceived the US as weak
1787: Congress asked the states to send representatives to a meeting where revise the Articles.

8. Weaknesses of the articles
Laws would only be able to be passed if 9 out 13 colonies agreed.
Without a president/executive branch, there were no officials to ensure the laws passed by Congress were carried out.
Without courts, there was no means of interpreting laws or judging those who broke them.
Without money, Congress could not pay the country’s debts or carry on any government activities that might be needed.
Could not pay soldiers who fought in the Revolution.
Harmed relations with foreign nations and endangered national security.

9. Closing question, 9/6
Why is the Declaration of Independence still considered one of the most important documents in American history?