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Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. End of French and Indian War. Britain is hurting financially Proclamation of 1763- protects Indian lands Americans- “That’s our land!!!” Sugar Act Actually lower than before, though this time is it ENFORCED Quartering Act

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Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

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  1. Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

  2. End of French and Indian War • Britain is hurting financially • Proclamation of 1763- protects Indian lands • Americans- “That’s our land!!!” • Sugar Act • Actually lower than before, though this time is it ENFORCED • Quartering Act • Soldiers could stay in colonists’ homes

  3. End of French and Indian War (Con’t) • Stamp Act • Final straw – “NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!” • Declaratory Act • British- “We are in charge!” • Other acts- Townshend Acts, Tea Act • Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) • Mostly aimed at Boston after Massacre and Tea Party

  4. Reactions • Albany Plan of Union 1754 • We need to come together to stop all of this! • Didn’t work • Stamp Act Congress, 1765 • First significant joint colonial response to a British measure • Petitioned Parliament and the King • Massachusetts Circular Letter • We shouldn’t have to pay the Townshend Acts

  5. Reactions (Con’t) • Boston Tea Party • First Continental Congress • Declaration of Rights and Grievances (to King George) • Second Continental Congress (after Lexington & Concord) • Olive Branch Petition  “Let’s fix things!” • Too late • July 4, 1776- Declaration of Independence

  6. WAR!!!!

  7. Results of the American Revolution • 1) No change in political power • 2) No change in economic power • 3) No change for women or African-Americans • 4) Lost trade with British markets • 5) Economic depression

  8. *AMERICAN REVOLUTION ONLY REVOLUTION IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD THAT DID NOT END IN A DICTATORSHIP*

  9. Articles of Confederation, 1777-1789 Government of the US prior to the ratification of the Constitution FEAR OF STRONG CENTRAL GOVT STRONG FOCUS ON INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY • No executive branch • No supreme court • No power to tax *** • No power to coin money • No army (80 men) • No control of trade (internal or external) • 1 State = 1 Vote (1 House of Legislature)

  10. Articles of Confederation • Deliberately weak federal government • Give states power • Problems: • Federal Gov’t cannot tax (NO $$$) • 7 states printing money • 9 states have own navy (to protect trade) • States pass tariff laws against each other • Trade starts to collapse

  11. Articles of Confederation • Depression hits states: • States impose higher taxes • People cannot afford to pay, lose land • Riots spread

  12. Articles of Confederation • Riots spread throughout the confederation • Western Massachusetts Farmers: • Refuse to pay taxes • Close courts • Destroy records (debts) • 2000 farmers led by Daniel Shays • “SHAYS REBELLION” • REBELLIONS BECOME MORE COMMON • FED GOVT POWERLESS (ANARCHY APPROACHING)

  13. Constitutional Convention • Convention called in Philadelphia, PA, 1787 • All 13 states invited • Convention was intended to revise the Articles of Confederation • For some the intention was to create a new government rather than fix the existing one

  14. 2 PLANS DISCUSSED: VIRGINIA PLAN & NEW JERSEY PLAN

  15. Virginia Plan • Favored large states • 2 Houses of Legislature • Based on population • Single Executive • Gov’t involved in national matters • Gov’t can overrule states • Federal court system

  16. New Jersey Plan • Favored small states • 1 house of Legislature -1 State = 1 Vote • More than one executive -Some type of committee • Limited involvement in national matters • Cannot overrule states • No courts (only state courts)

  17. Connecticut Plan: Compromise • Blend of VA and NJ plans • 2 Houses of Legislature -1 Based on population (House of Representatives) -Elected by the people -1 Based on 1 vote per state (Senate) -Chosen by state legislatures • Single executive -Electoral votes (by state) • Federal Court System

  18. 3/5 Compromise • House of Representatives -based on population • How do you count population? -North vs. South SLAVERY • Compromise: -Slaves = 3/5 of a person

  19. Constitution taken directly from the states for approval -Bypasses Congress • Federalists: Support it • Federalist papers written supporting the Constitution • Alexander Hamilton • James Madison • John Jay

  20. Anti-Federalists: Against Constitution • Anti-Federalists papers also published, hard to find • Patrick Henry • Samuel Adams • Concerns: • No Bill of Rights • Executive (President) too strong • Congress too strong • National gov’t too strong

  21. Delaware first to approve the Constitution • RI last to approve it in 1790 • Constitution ratified • Went into effect March 4, 1789 • Elections for President held: • George Washington elected • John Adams elected as VP -(VP: Person coming in 2nd place) • Bill of Rights passed in 1791

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