2. New Nation The foundation our government can be traced to three documents: The Mayflower Compact The Declaration of Independence The Constitution (including the Bill of Rights)

3. Mayflower Compact The Mayflower Compact: When the pilgrims were still on the Mayflower, anchored off of Massachusetts they knew they need to have a plan for a government for their new settlement. The men on the ship help a meeting and wrote a plan for a new government. This plan was called the Mayflower compact. It was the first time these people were going to govern themselves and not be under rule of a king or queen.

4. Declaration of Independence Document explaining why the colonists should be free from British rule http://www.earlyamerica.com/independenc e.htmhttp://www.earlyamerica.com/independenc e.htm

5. Constitution Before the Constitution the Continental Congress wrote a plan of government called the Articles of Confederation. The Articles of Confederation called for a weak National Government (why would they want a weak National Government) By the middle 1780’s the weak government was causing problems the states were not working together, and people started to worry the United States might not survive.

6. Constitution In 1787 representatives from all over the United States met at the Constitutional Convention. This was a meeting to set up a new plan of government Constitution is a written plan of government The United States Constitution was signed in September of 1787.

7. United States Constitution The constitution starts with an introduction or preamble The Preamble starts with the words “We the people…” This introduction or Preamble states the goals of the Constitution These goals are: form a strong nation, to protect peoples freedom, and improve people’s lives. Rest is a plan for the government.

8. Plan of government Plan called for three separate parts or branches of government Each branch of government would share the power so no one group or person would have too much power. (why do you think the leaders didn’t want any one group to have too much power?)

9. Three Branches of Government Executive – (President) enforces the laws, commands armed forces, acts as head of state, makes treaties Legislative – (Congress) makes the laws, sets taxes, declares war Judicial – (courts) interprets the laws (decides if they are fair), Interprets Constitution

10. Bill of Rights In 1791 a section of the Constitution was added or amended An amendment is an addition The Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the constitution that states basic rights people of the United States have 13 th amendment ended slavery 19 th amendment gave women the right to vote

11. First President General George Washington was chosen as the first President of the United States At this time the Capital of the United States was New York City In 1790 Capital was moved to Philadelphia

12. Important New Yorkers Alexander Hamilton named by Washington as the Secretary of the Treasury (takes care of the nations money) John Jay named by Washington as a chief justice or head judge of the Supreme Court