Independence The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.

Independence The First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia in September of Twelve colonies agreed to seek a peaceful settlement with Great Britain over policies concerning taxation, trade, rights of English citizens, and representation in the British government.

Independence The Second Continental Congress met after the battles of Lexington and Concord. It was during this meeting that colonial leaders decided to declare independence from Great Britain. But not all colonists supported independence.

Independence The Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, Most of the document was written by Thomas Jefferson, with input from colonial leaders. The philosophy used to justify the Declaration of Independence was inspired by Two Treatises of Government, written by John Locke (1690).

The Influence of John Locke John Locke argued that people do not get their rights from rulers; instead, people are born with rights.

The Influence of John Locke The concept of natural rights was written into the Declaration of Independence. According to Locke, governments get their power to rule from the people. The concept of the consent of the governed was also written into the Declaration of Independence. Finally, Locke said that legitimate governments exist to protect the rights of the governed; when government fails to protect the rights of the people, the people have the right to rebel against that government.

The Articles of Confederation The first national constitution for the United States was the Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation As the Revolutionary War raged, states developed constitutions. Seeking to protect the rights of individuals against government tyranny, many state constitutions included a bill of rights. State constitutions also limited what they believed to be the source of tyranny-executive power. The Continental Congress also adopted a national constitution- The Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation But the Articles were not approved by all thirteen states until By then, many Americans had developed a deep loyalty to state and local government, and a deep suspicion of national government.

The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation created a unicameral (one house) legislature. There was no national executive and no national judiciary. Delegates to Congress were selected by state legislatures, and each state had one vote in Congress regardless of the number of delegates the state sent to Congress.

The Articles of Confederation Congress had the authority to do the following: I.Declare war II.Develop foreign policy III.Run the post office IV.Coin money V.Borrow money VI.Appoint military officers VII.Regulate Native American affairs Congress had the authority to do the following: I.Declare war II.Develop foreign policy III.Run the post office IV.Coin money V.Borrow money VI.Appoint military officers VII.Regulate Native American affairs

The Articles of Confederation However, all powers not specifically delegated to Congress were reserved to the states. Even expressed powers were limited at the national level. Congress had no direct power to tax or regulate foreign trade. Congress also lacked the authority to raise an independent army. Instead, Congress had to ask the states to approve a tax or foreign policy. Congress could only ask states to help them raise a national army. However, all powers not specifically delegated to Congress were reserved to the states. Even expressed powers were limited at the national level. Congress had no direct power to tax or regulate foreign trade. Congress also lacked the authority to raise an independent army. Instead, Congress had to ask the states to approve a tax or foreign policy. Congress could only ask states to help them raise a national army.

The Articles of Confederation In fact, all major policy issues required the approval of nine states before they could become official policy. Without an executive branch, the states were effectively on the honors system. Disputes between the states began. The value of currency, responsibility for national debts, contributions to the army, trade agreements, and border disputes threatened the security of the nation. The British army maintained a presence west of the Appalachian Mountains, and the United States were far from united.

Shays’ Rebellion Shays’ Rebellion confirmed the need for a stronger national constitution.

Shays’ Rebellion The middle class began to grow under the Articles of Confederation. Some of the members of the elite class became concerned as the middle class expanded in number and political power. Alexander Hamilton and James Madison were among the people who expressed the need for a stronger national government as the middle class increased their political influence. But, Thomas Jefferson supported the ability of educated, agrarian people to rule. As an ambassador to France, Jefferson was supportive of the growing movement of the French people to overthrow their king and queen.

Shays’ Rebellion Farm foreclosures in western Massachusetts highlighted the class struggle emerging in the United States. Among other issues, demonstrators protested high taxes, the governor's high salary, and the state government’s refusal to issue paper money. They also opposed the state policy of putting debtors in jail (a punishment formerly used by Great Britain to keep some people in jail indefinitely).

Shays’ Rebellion Daniel Shays, a Revolutionary War veteran, lead about 1,000 rioters on a march to Worcester where they closed down the state supreme court. Then the mob went to Springfield where they freed imprisoned debtors. Barns of some government officials were burned, and wealthy Bostonians raised money for soldiers to put down the rebellion.

Shays’ Rebellion The rebels were routed by some cannon shots in January Shays escaped to Vermont and was later pardoned. Over 100 rebels were captured, and several were sentenced to death. George Washington and others urged compassionate treatment of the rebels and pardons were eventually granted.

Shays’ Rebellion By then many people in the elite class were convinced that a stronger form of national government was necessary. Even Samuel Adams, once a defender of revolution and opposition to strong government authority, appeared to support the execution of the rabble who revolted in Shays’ Rebellion.