Seeds of Revolution
Stamp Act Affected ALL the colonists
Tax on all printed documents (newspapers, pamphlets, etc.)
The colonists were upset that Parliament was taxing them and because they could not vote for members of Parliament. Their chant became “No taxation without representation!”
Boston Massacre: Citizens fired upon by British soldiers. Five Boston citizens were killed.
Boston Tea Party-Citizens react by for throwing British tea into the Harbor worth 10,000 English pounds = 1 million US dollars today. They receive harsh punishment from England.
Result: The First Continental Congress meets. 12 of the 13 colonies attended this meeting. They met to figure out how to help Boston.
The Revolution Begins Loyalists vs. Patriots Lexington and Concord (April 1775) –
first shots fired in the American Revolution against British.
Second Continental Congress meets. They will lead the country during the American Revolution. George Washington was named
Commander of the Continental Army.
Declaration of Independence
Declare all have Unalienable rights Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Wrote list of grievances (complaints) against King George III
Thomas Jefferson = primary author
Adopted on July 4, 1776
THE WAR!
Battle of Saratoga (1778) Turning point, French come
in on side of Americans Battle of Yorktown (1781)
Victory for the Americans, British General Cornwallis surrenders his army of 8,000 and is defeated.
Treaty of Paris, 1783 Ends war, America gains
its independence.
The Articles of Confederation 1781-1787
• First law of the U.S.
• Provisions of Articles: 1.No chief executive
2.No national court system
3.Gov’t could not tax on a national level
• States held power. Weak Central Government.
Constitutional Convention
• 1787 - Philadelphia • Purpose was to
REVISE Articles of Confederation
• George Washington presided
• James Madison proposed a new document called….
WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A
“MEETING TO REVISE & AMEND”
THE ARTICLES OF CONF.
PA- HOST
DELEGATE
OLDEST AT
AGE 81
“FATHER OF THE
CONSTITUTION”
• Limited government
• Republicanism
• Checks and balances
• Federalism
• Separation of powers
• Popular sovereignty
• Individual rights
Principles of the Constitution
Limited Government
The ruler (president) is
subject to the law.
Came from the Magna Carta (1215).
Republicanism
Form of government where people are ruled through elected officials.
Checks and Balances Each branch of government monitors and limits the power of the other two.
An example is the President vetoes a law passed by Congress.
The Feds
The States
Federalism-Federal government
has more power than the states. They can enforce laws on
the states.
Separation of Powers
The division of power between the three branches.
Popular Sovereignty
The people choose!
Individual Rights Freedom of Speech
Freedom of Press
Freedom of
Religion
Freedom to
Assemble/Petition
Do you understand why the
Constitution is important?
You have 5 minutes to explain
“If one of these principals was left out
of the Constitution, which would’ve had
the greatest impact on our country and
why?”
Bill of Rights
• First ten amendments
• Answers the grievances of the Declaration of Independence
BILL
OF
RIGHTS
Bill of Rights
• 1 – Freedom of religion, speech, press and
right to petition and assemble
• 2 - Right to bear arms
• 3 – No Quartering troops
Bill of Rights • 4 – No illegal searches and seizure
• 5 – Rights of the accused
• 6 – Right to a speedy, public trial
• 7 – Trial by jury in civil cases
• 8 – No cruel or unusual punishment
1789 George Washington becomes
President