Sample Regents Question:

1. Sample Regents Question: • During the Revolutionary War period, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense was important because it • described a military plan for the defeat of England • convinced many Americans who had been undecided to support independence • contained a detailed outline for a new form of government • argued for the addition of a bill of rights to the Constitution

2. Sample Regents Question: • 2. A major argument for American independence found in the • Declaration of Independence was that the British • stopped participating in the slave trade • refused to sell products to Americans • deprived Americans of their natural rights • censored American representatives in Parliament

3. Sample Regents Question: 3. Which fundamental political idea is expressed in the Declaration of Independence? The government should guarantee every citizen economic security. The central government and state governments should have equal power. If the government denies its people certain basic rights, that government can be overthrown. Rulers derive their right to govern from God and are therefore bound to govern in the nation’s best interest.

4. Declaring Americans independence was one thing: winning independence another. The newly created American army confronted (was going up against) the greatest military power on Earth. Yes! But you’re going to die! We’re finally independent!

5. Who has the advantage and who is the “underdog?” • Richest country in the • world • Large, well-trained • army and navy • Many dedicated and • able officers • Home-field advantage • Motivation = FREEDOM The new American army under George Washington The British army under William Howe

6. Battle of Saratoga AMERICANS + FRENCH SUPPORT TIDE TURNS IN AMERICAN FAVOR Battle of Yorktown (1781) British commander Cornwallis surrendered his army of 8,000 and effectively ended the American Revolution

7. The Treaty of Paris Signed in 1783 – officially ended the American Revolution. In the treaty… 1)England recognition of American independence 2) Expansion of American territory

8. African Americans saw in the Revolution and the reality of war an opportunity to claim freedom The Revolution Within: Aspirations for greater equality inspired by the struggle for independence For women, the Revolution caused women to challenge the absolute power husbands had over their wives. Liberty for whites meant loss of liberty for Indians. Indians’ definition of their rights was becoming Americanized.

9. The First Draft of the U.S. Constitution: The Articles of Confederation

10. Now that the colonies were no longer a part of the British government, the newly created American states needed to quickly put into place a new national government. Ahhhh! Who’s in charge? This is complete anarchy!

11. Difference Between a State and a National Government: The govt. that is responsible for people who live in a particular state. Example: New York state govt. The govt. that is responsible for the nation (all the states). Example: United States federal govt.

12. Check for Understanding • True or False: • Each state has its own state government. • All the states belong to one national or federal government.

13. Now that the colonies were no longer a part of the British government, the newly created American states needed to quickly put into place a new national government. Ahhhh! Who’s in charge? This is complete anarchy!

14. How can we create a national government that oversees all the 13 state governments? What will it look like? What powers will they have? AND 13 STATE GOVERNMENTS 1 NATIONAL GOVERNMENT = 1 BRANCH called CONGRESS Each state will have its own government with a governor elected by the citizens of that state. Each state will send representatives to a Confederation Congress. Each state will have one vote in Congress. I have an idea!

15. AND 13 STATE GOVERNMENTS 1 NATIONAL GOVERNMENT = 1 BRANCH called CONGRESS Who should have more power? The state governments or the national government? Why do you think the former colonists choose to give the state governments more power?

16. Let’s write this all down on paper so it’s official. Our first national Constitution can be called the… We will call this first American Constitution The Articles of Confederation WHY CALL IT THIS? Article: a particular section in a written document, such as contract, constitution or treaty. Confederation: a loose union of independent states

17. Shay’s Rebellion = Central Govt. too weak to handle national problems