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Importance of Declaration: Shaping Early American Governments

Explore the significance of the Declaration of Independence in establishing state constitutions and the evolution towards a stronger federal government post-American Revolution.

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Importance of Declaration: Shaping Early American Governments

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  1. Why is the Declaration so important?It’s not the document, it’s the idea… • http://www.mrbach.net/documents/multimedia_26.html

  2. The First National Government • Once independence is declared in America • We have to set up governments for our 13 new ‘states’

  3. August, 1776 • Each new state signed new state constitutions for their people. • Constitution • Basic set of laws and principles establishing a government

  4. Structure of New State Constitutions • State governments were very limited in power • No strong figure head as an executive • Most of the power was given to the legislative branch of the government • Elections were to be held every year • Why do you think they were set up this way?

  5. Structure of Legislative Body in State Governments • Most were bicameral • Had two houses in legislative bodies. • Senate • House of Representatives • Only Pennsylvania had a unicameral • Had only 1 house in legislative body.

  6. Rights given in State Constitutions • Most had a list of citizens rights outlined in their state constitutions. • Included voting rights for… • White men only

  7. American Revolution ends in 1781…now what?? • In the same year the war ended, the 13 states ratified the Articles of Confederation • Document bonding the 13 states together in order to maintain sovereignty

  8. Powers listed in the Art. Of Confederation (AOC) • The legislative body (Congress) is most powerful! • Why? • There is no executive or judicial branches! • Each state had 1 vote in Congress • Majority vote decided action (7 votes) • For serious decisions, 9 votes are needed • Waging war • Sign treaties • For an amendment to the AOC • All 13 states had to agree

  9. All Powers given to Congress… • Declare war • Conduct foreign policy • Borrow money • Establish state militias (military forces) • Settle arguments between states • Manage relations with Native Americans.

  10. Limits on Power of Congress by AOC • No Executive branch • No President • No federal Judicial branch • Had to rely on state courts to punish citizens for federal laws • No federal officials to enforce law • No power to tax citizens • How do they make money? • No power to establish national armed forces • had to get consent from each state’s militias • Major laws needed approval of 9 of 13 states!

  11. 1787 First and Only Big Accomplishment for AOC • Northwest Ordinance of 1787 • Signed by Congress to set procedures for granting statehood to territories within the ‘northwest territory’ • No slavery allowed! • Included guaranteed rights for people that migrated there!

  12. Cultural obstacles AOC could not fix • Religious differences • North • Protestants (New Jersey and Delaware) • South • Baptists (Georgia and North Carolina) • Would they work together?

  13. Other Cultural obstacles AOC could not fix • Slavery in States • North • No slaves • Blacks were free! • South • Slaves were necessary for economic survival! • Helped keep price of cotton and tobacco low.

  14. By 1786, we are looking for change… • Sept. 1786 • Representatives from Virginia tried to organize a convention in Annapolis, MD for states to talk about issues • Convention • Meeting held by governments • Problem… • Only 5 states showed up! • What do you do?

  15. Call for another convention for following year! • Next meeting was to be in Philadelphia, PA in May 1787. • Start thinking of changes to the AOC • Make a strong federal government to force states to work together • Might want to include: • Executive branches • Judicial branches • How do you get states to come to this meeting? • You need something bad to happen!

  16. Shays' Rebellion August 1786-January 1787 • Daniel Shays leads armed rebellion against state officials • What is the issue? • Farmers were being kicked off their land for not paying off their debts to state governments! • What happens? • Farmers start killing state officials.

  17. What did Shay’s Rebellion prove? • Nothing.. • However, people are beginning to ask • “How were we able to beat the world’s largest empire to gain independence but could not keep order in peacetime???” • We need a new government!! A strong government!! • This gets the states to go to Philly, PA in 1787

  18. Onward to Philly…

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