The Declaration of The Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

What’s in the Declaration?

• The colonists told Great Britain that they were a separate, independent nation.

• They complained about the king and his treatment of the colonists.

• It DID NOT make laws for new government.

• Instead, the Declaration created a framework for the kind of government the Founding Fathers wanted to create.

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION, 1781-89

• America’s 1st FORM OF GOVERNMENT

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

• It created an UNICAMERAL CONGRESS-(One lawmaking house)

• It did not include an EXECUTIVE OR JUDICIAL BRANCH.

• It gave NO POWER TO TAX OR REGULATE INTERSTATE TRADE .

• It created a DECENTRALIZED government and a WEAK UNION OF 13 SEPARATE STATES.

Problems with the Articles of Confederation

• Shay’s Rebellion and other rebellions showed that the federal government did not have enough control.• Each state was operating like a separate country.• A stronger federal government was needed!

The United States Constitution

The Constitutional Convention• May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia,

Pennsylvania.

• George Washington presided over the Convention.

• James Madison from Virginia won the name, “Father of the Constitution.”

• Sept. 17, 1787- 39 delegates signed. – It was provided that the Constitution would

go into effect as soon as 9 states ratified it.

• In 1791 a Bill of Rights was added.

Characteristics of the Constitution

• Three Branches of Government– Checks and

Balances

• Bicameral Legislative branch

• Power to tax and regulate interstate trade

• Centralized power

Bicameral Legislature – 2 lawmaking houses

Senate – 2 representatives from

each stateHouse of Representatives – basedon population of state

Capitol Building – Washington D.C.Capitol Building – Washington D.C.

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Federalists v. Anti-Federalists

• Federalists favored ratification• Usually wealthy merchants, planters and

lawyers• Wanted strong federal government• Hoped would provide security and prevent

rebellion• James Madison, Alexander Hamilton,

John Jay wrote the Federalist Papers to defend their ideas

Federalists v. Anti-Federalists

• Anti-Federalists opposed ratification

• Feared a strong federal government• Thought constitutional convention was too

secret• Favored states’ rights• Thought constitution resembled monarchy• Disliked the idea of the electors, chosen (like

Senators at that time) by state legislators, choosing the President & VP

Ratification and Amending

• 1788- eleven states ratified the constitution.

• VA & NY refused to ratify without a Bill of Rights

• 1789-New Government began functioning.

• 1791-American Bill of Rights was added – First 10 Amendments to

the Constitution.Patrick Henry of VA spoke fervently

against ratification.