Key U.S Documents

3 key U.S. Documents The Declaration of Independence The Articles of Confederation The Constitution

The Declaration of Independence What is it? the proclamation made by the second American Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which asserted the freedom and independence of the 13 Colonies from Great Britain

The Declaration of Independence Why was it written? The Declaration of Independence was written to explain why the colonists had a right to revolt against and become independent from England.

The Declaration of Independence Why was it written? The colonists largest complaint was that rules were being passed in England that affected their life in the colonies, but the colonists had no representation in England to voice their opinions of the colonists when the laws were being passed.

The Declaration of Independence What did it say? The declaration states that the people have the right to overthrow a government that is not protecting their liberties and that governments and kings are not held in place by God, but by the people who serve them.

The Declaration of Independence Why is it important? The Declaration of Independence is important because it states that a government exists for the benefit of the people and that "all men are created equal."

The Articles of Confederation What are they? The Articles of Confederation was the original binding document of the United States and served as the supreme law of the land from March 1, 1781 until the ratification of the United States Constitution (on June 21, 1788).

The Articles of Confederation What are the weakness of the them? Lack of Power and Money in Government Cant collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws Lack of central power No single leader or group to create policy No national court system Rules are to rigid To hard to pass laws or amend the Articles

The Constitution How was it created? Written by the Constitutional Convention Selected group who meets in secret to revise the Articles of Confederation. No women or African Americans

The Constitution What did it create? Creates the structure of Congress into a Bicameral, or 2 house system, through the “GREAT COMPROMISE”.

The Constitution What did it create? The Great Compromise combined the the Virginia Plan- designed to give representation based on population (House of Representatives) The New Jersey Plan – designed to give EQUAL representation to all the states (Senate)

The Constitution What did it create? Electoral college – a group of people who would be named by each state to select the president and vice president

The Constitution Once completed the document still had to be ratified by 9 of the 13 states to become official. Unfortunately not everyone was willing to sign

The Constitution There were two groups The Federalists – for the Constitution Anti Federalists- against the Constitution Federalism – a form of government in which power is divided between the federal (national) and the States

The Constitution The Anti federalists fear the new constitution would take away the liberties Americans had fought to win from Great Britain. They agree to sign if there is a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution They sign on June 21, 1788