1. The Birth of a Democratic Nation
The United States of America

2. Life in the Colonies
Colonists felt loyal to British because it was their parent country
Colonists felt separated from Great Britain because they had operated by themselves for many years
Colonists believed they could govern themselves because they had since the beginning of the colonies

3. British Events Mercantilism
Theory that a country should sell more than it buys
British used to squeeze wealth out of colonies
British Parliament wanted colonists to:
Sell cheap raw materials to GB
Buy expensive British finished goods (made from raw materials

4. British Events, continued
French & Indian War
French & British fight for territory west of colonies
Both sides ally with Indians
British send troops to protect colonies
Costs lots of money!

5. Results in Colonies
Colonists are bitter toward GB

6. British Events Stamp Act/Quartering Act (1765)
To pay for the debt from French & Indian War, GB’s Parliament passes
Quartering Act: law that says colonists must house British troops
Stamp Act: law that requires a stamp to be bought and placed on all newspapers & legal documents

7. Results in Colonies
American colonists begin to boycott, or refuse to buy, goods that are taxed
“Sons of Liberty” formed
Underground organization opposed to GB’s taxes
Used violence & intimidation to force British collecting agents to resign & stop American loyalists from buying British goods

8. British Events Declaratory Act (1766)/Townshend Acts(1767)
After boycotts by the colonists, Parliament repeals Stamp Act
Parliament passes
Declaratory Act: Parliament has the right to make decisions for colonies in “all cases”
Townshend Acts: taxes on basic goods such as tea, glass, paper, lead & paints

9. Results in Colonies
Americans colonists continue to boycott goods taxed

10. British Events Boston Massacre (1770)
Mob harasses British soldiers stationed in Boston
Shots are fired
British kill 3, mortally wound 2 & injure 6 colonists

11. Results in Colonies
Colonists continue to become more angry with Great Britain

12. British Events Tea Act (1773)
Allowed British East India Company to ship tea to colonies without paying taxes, which enabled them to bypass colonial merchants & sell directly to shopkeepers

13. Results in Colonies Boston Tea Party (1773)
Colonists blocked all East India Company trading ships from Boston harbor
Colonists dress up as Indians & dump 342 chests of tea into Boston harbor to protest Tea Act

14. British Events Coercive Acts(1774)
Known as “Intolerable Acts” in colonies
Restricted colonists’ rights, such as trial by jury
Allowed British soldiers to search and even move into colonists’ homes (old Quartering Act had expired)

15. Results in Colonies First Continental Congress(1774)
Colonists want reconciliation (make peace with GB), not independence
Sent document to King George III demanding he restore their rights

16. British Events Lexington/Concord (1775) “shot heard ‘round the world”
GB sends troops to take supplies from American militia
First battles of the Revolutionary War

17. Results in Colonies Second Continental Congress(1775)
Colonists are still trying to decide between reconciliation & independence
Many believe a war with GB cannot be won
After Thomas Paine writes “Common Sense,” half the delegates agree that independence is the only way

18. “We have it in our power to begin the world anew…” Thomas Paine

19. The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
Turn to pages 44 – 47 in your textbook.
We – the colonists
Truths – universal; not public opinion – and – absolute; not an opinion
Self-evident – describes truth; reasonable people can figure this out

20. The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
Created equal – all equal in some sense
Unalienable rights – not reality, but potential of country
Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness – building on traditional political thought
From John Locke – government to secure these unalienable rights

21. The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
Just Powers – legitimate powers
Consent of the Governed – us
Any Form – even democracy
Ends – life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

22. The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson
Right of the People – justifying killing people, killing the government
Institute new government – that will protect these rights
How do you abolish?
Takes force, violence. Country was forged in blood-shed.

23. Creating a Government
By 1780 all of the 13 original states had created constitutions
Most have BICAMERAL legislature (two houses)
Massachusetts Constitution
Oldest functioning constitution in the world
Used as a model for the US Constitution

24. The “First Constitution”
Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA
Articles of Confederation ( )

25. What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
Limited power of Central Government
Required 9/13 states to pass laws
Could not enforce laws because states held more power
Could not pay off war debt without power of taxation
Why did the colonists create such a limiting document?