The American Revolution

Intro Question How do you think American Ideals helped fuel the Revolution? Do you think it played a part in the moral of the troops and helped the U.S. Win the War? Explain

Second Continental Congress Started in May 1775 Started in May 1775 Made Washington General of the Army Made Washington General of the Army Made a Continental Currency Made a Continental Currency Olive Branch Petition (appealing to the king to fix things) and the Causes and necessities of taking up arms – July 5 & Olive Branch Petition (appealing to the king to fix things) and the Causes and necessities of taking up arms – July 5 & King refused to read olive branch King refused to read olive branch Managed the War Managed the War Moved toward Independence Moved toward Independence

Saratoga & Valley Forge Saratoga, NY: British troops surrendered in Oct  Major turning point and morale booster for Patriots  Saratoga caused the French to help the Americans Valley Forge, PA: while Continental Army was low on supplies they stayed alive & held British forces

Life During the Revolution Continental Congress struggled to pay its soldiers Civilian men were off to fight leaving wives to tend to farms, businesses, & families Women worked on battlefields tending to wounded African-Americans fought for their personal freedom Native Americans sided with British  saw less infringement of their culture

Winning the War Continental Army got help from France in 1778 Marquis de Lafayette – French leader who lobbied for French reinforcements to help the Americans. He held a command in Virginia the last few years of the war. British moved South under Gen. Cornwallis  Captured Charles Town, SC & moved towards Virginia British surrendered at Yorktown, VA in Oct Treaty of Paris signed Sept  Set U.S. independence & set boundaries (Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River)

Now the New Challenge – What to Do About Government?

Articles of Confederation Continental Congress created a loose constitution in 1777 Articles of Confederation for 13 states to come together in times of need Weak federal government Strong state government No executive branch No judicial branch

Each state got 1 vote (big states had same power as small) Did not protect individual rights (no power to enforce laws) Biggest problems: No power to regulate commerce No power to collect taxes Many recognized that improvements were needed

State Disputes Eastern states engaged in disputes with one another Boundary and Tax Disputes 1. States passed laws taxing goods from its neighbors 2. No national currency Shays’s Rebellion-showed that a stronger government was needed

How Democratic? A Republic or Democracy? A. Republic: A government in which the highest power belongs to the citizens who choose representatives to act for them B. Democracy: Government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is retained and directly exercised by the people

C. In the House of Representatives (H.O.R.) people choose D. Senators appointed (till th amendment changed it to people voting for their senators) E. President elected by popular vote & electoral college F. Amendments are democratic

The Challenge: A New Plan of Government Representation: Congress Large States (Virginia Plan) Voting in Congress by population Small states (New Jersey Plan) Voting in Congress equal vote

2 part Congress House of Representatives- based on population Senate-2 votes per state President/Executive Branch: 1 president=4 yr term voted in by electoral college Courts/Judicial Judges appointed by President confirmed by Senate judges for life Great Compromise

Separation of Powers

Checks and Balances

Confederation to Constitution Government created by the new Constitution takes power Annapolis Convention is held. 1786–1787 Shays’s Rebellion occurs Constitutional Convention is held in Philadelphia U.S. Constitution is ratified Continental Congress passes the Articles of Confederation. 1777–1781 States debate ratification of the Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation go into effect Bill of Rights is added to the Constitution.

Problems and Solutions PROBLEMSSOLUTIONS Western lands States give up Western claims. Congress passes laws to organize the territories. Postwar depression Annapolis Convention is called to discuss problems of commerce. Representation in the new government Philadelphia convention is held. Delegates agree to Great Compromise to settle issue of representation. Slavery Three-Fifths Compromise addresses issue of slavery and representation. Congress delays discussion of banning the slave trade. Problems and Solutions

Reflection Questions 1. Was the American Revolution a “Radical” Revolution? Explain. 2. Could the Constitution be written without compromise?