HISTORY OF THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES UNITED STATES CONSTITUTIONCONSTITUTION

Chris SandfordChris Sandford

Mitchell CollegeMitchell CollegeAmerican Government and PoliticsAmerican Government and Politics

Thirteen ColoniesThirteen Colonies From 1750 - 1776 the From 1750 - 1776 the

American Colonies began to American Colonies began to come together as one.come together as one.

They realized that their They realized that their freedom from Great Britain freedom from Great Britain was a “God given right to be was a “God given right to be free.” - the Great Awakening.free.” - the Great Awakening.

The First Continental The First Continental Congress was called for Congress was called for September 1774, before the September 1774, before the events at Lexington.events at Lexington.

FreedomFreedom Colonists came to the “new land” in search Colonists came to the “new land” in search

of economic, political or/and religious of economic, political or/and religious freedom. freedom.

When this freedom was threatened by When this freedom was threatened by England, through military force, the England, through military force, the Colonists declared their independence and Colonists declared their independence and went to war.went to war.

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was ratified.of Independence was ratified.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable 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 new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

America’s First GovernmentAmerica’s First Government

Needing unity to defeat Great Britain the Needing unity to defeat Great Britain the Continental Congress created the Continental Congress created the Articles Articles of Confederation.of Confederation.

Following the ideal that the government Following the ideal that the government closest to the people governs best, the closest to the people governs best, the Articles were very weak.Articles were very weak.

Many colonists feared a powerful federal Many colonists feared a powerful federal government like that of England. government like that of England.

Articles Gave NO DirectionArticles Gave NO Direction

CC could not collect taxes.CC could not collect taxes. CC could not raise an ArmyCC could not raise an Army CC could not manage trade between CC could not manage trade between

states or other nations.states or other nations. No Court System or Executive.No Court System or Executive. 2/3 of states needed to agree to 2/3 of states needed to agree to

pass a law.pass a law. ALL POWER RESTED IN THE ALL POWER RESTED IN THE

STATES - They feared a strong STATES - They feared a strong federal government.federal government.

Shay’s RebellionShay’s Rebellion

The economy was in The economy was in shambles and the farmers shambles and the farmers throughout the country side throughout the country side were losing their land.were losing their land.

Daniel Shays, MA., led a Daniel Shays, MA., led a rebellion to close and burn rebellion to close and burn court houses and state court houses and state buildings.buildings.

MA could not put the rebellion MA could not put the rebellion down and the federal down and the federal government could not help. government could not help.

A Need for ChangeA Need for Change

With revolutionary leaders With revolutionary leaders seeing the country they fought seeing the country they fought for being destroyed, they for being destroyed, they called for a Convention to called for a Convention to modify the Articles. modify the Articles.

55 Men met in Philly to modify 55 Men met in Philly to modify the Articles but, they ended the Articles but, they ended up overthrowing the up overthrowing the Government and writing a Government and writing a new Constitution.new Constitution.