Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson Signed July 4, 1776 at Independence Hall in Philadelphia

Quick Notes 3. Declaration of Independence Stated grievances against the king of Great Britain Declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain Affirmed certain unalienable rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) Established the idea that all people are equal under the law

Articles of Confederation What is a Confederation? In June 1776, the second Continental Congress formed a committee to draw up a plan for a government. In 1781 it was approved by the 13 states, and the government under the Articles went into effect.

Quick Notes 4. Articles of Confederation Established the first form of national government for the independent states Maintained that major powers resided with individual states Weakness of central government (e.g., no power to tax and enforce laws)—Led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America

Quick Notes Congress has no power to tax Congress has no power to regulate interstate or foreign trade Congress has no power to enforce its laws Approval of 9 states needed to enact laws Amendments to the Articles required the consent of all thirteen states The government had no executive branch There was no national court system