Constitution

Lesson 2

Coming of IndependenceA. Royal Control

- parliament stayed out of it2. King was 3000 miles away

- colonies were somewhat self-governed- colonial legislatures grew powerful over time.

3. Similar to Federal System- King in charge of defense and foreign affairs

- allowed inter-colony trade- Colonists set up their own local govt.

- often ignored the King’s rules

But then …

1. set up harsh colonial taxes.

1. King controlled the 13 colonies

- took 2 months to sail to London

- Provided uniform money system

- King George III takes the throne in 1760

- colonists were upset – King should notcontrol local affairs!

- Choice = SUBMIT OR REVOLT!!!

- “No taxation without representation!”

2. Restricted colonial trade

B. Growing Colonial Unity- colonists tried to promote colonial unity.

1. Early Attempts- 1643 -- League of Friendship – Mass Bay, Plymouth,

New Haven, & CT. -- needed Indian protection.

- 1696 – William Penn (PA) wanted colonial cooperationfor defense, trade, courts, etc.

- other colonies did not like the plans.

2. Albany Plan

- set up a congress of delegates

3. Sent Br. soldiers to enforce the rules

- 1754 – Ben Franklin came up with Albany Plan for Union

4. Colonists wanted to remain BR citizens

- raise army & navy

King & colonists shot down the idea!3. Stamp Act Congress

- severe rates- colonists protested – King repealed it, but there was friction

4. Committee of Correspondence

- to protest Tea tax – colonists dumped tea into harbor.C. 1st Continental Congress

1. Intolerable Acts – punish colonists2. Met to discuss 13 colony boycott of BR goods.

D. 2nd Continental Congress

5. Boston Tea Party

1. War began in April Lexington & Concord

- Stamp Act of 1765 – pay a tax on all legal docs. & newspapers

- regulate taxes and trade

- Boston Massacre 5 colonists killed by panicked soldiers

- Samuel Adams – set up network to exchange info with othercolonies.

2. Met in May to discuss what to do.

- John Hancock was President of the Congress- U.S. first national govt. – from 1776 – 1781 when

Articles of Confederation were approved.E. Declaration of Independence

- asked Ben Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman,Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson to write it.

- adopted and signed on July 4, 1776F. First State Govts.

- each state adopted a new const.- constitution – fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures,

and processes of govt.- MA was first – held a convention other states followed suit

G. Common Features of New States1. Popular Sovereignty - people have the power

- put George Washington in charge of ARMY

- Richard Henry Lee of VA suggested independence.

- Thomas Jefferson wrote the final draft.

2. Limited Govt. – many restrictions on govt.3. Civil Rights & Liberties

- Executive, Legislative, Judicial

- elected terms were very short - 2 yrs. at most- only male property owners could vote

- state govts. had little power.

- 7 of 13 states had Bill of Rights unalienable4. Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances

Had a large impact on the future U.S. Constitution!!!