Chapter 4 Section 3

Moving Toward Nationhood

A Clash of Views

• English View– Parliament represented all English citizens,

including the colonists.• Colonists View– Since no colonists served in Parliament, nor

could colonists vote for Parliament, English government did not attend to colonial needs.

• Trade Conflict– Parliament only allowed the colonists to trade

with England.

A Clash of Views

• “No Taxation Without Representation”– Parliament decided to raise money to pay

its debts by taxing the colonies.– Enraged many colonists.

• Steps Toward Independence– 1774: First Continental Congress – 1775: Second Continental Congress– 1775: Fighting breaks out in Massachusetts– 1776:“Common Sense” is published

Declaration of Independence

• Support for separation of England increased.• Second Continental Congress voted for independence.• Committee appointed to write declaration.• Writers

– Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams.• “...whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these

ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and institute new Government.”

• Signed on July 4th 1776- As the American Revolution was being fought.

Organizing a New Government

• Compact– A written agreement to make and

obey laws for the welfare of the group

• State Constitutions– During and after the Revolution, each

state had its own constitution• The Articles of Confederation– 1777: The original compact between

the soon to be independent colonies.

Organizing A New Government

• Outline– Allowed for a national legislature, with each state

having one vote.– There was no judicial branch.

• Problems– Articles of Confederation needed the ratification

or approval of all 13 states.– States differed -a strong central government or

strong state governments.

A Limping Government

• Post war Problems with Debt and Trade– Congress borrowed large amt of money to

pay for war supplies, couldn’t pay debt back.– Congress unable to regulate trade with

England and other English colonies.• Shays Rebellion

– 1786: Hundreds of angry Massachusetts farmers led by Daniel Shays revolted to show their anger over poor trade conditions.

– Exposed a weak American government.

Think About It

• Why were the states reluctant to give any power to a central government?