HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION Chris Sandford Mitchell College American Government and Politics

Thirteen Colonies  From the American Colonies began to come together as one.  They realized that their freedom from Great Britain was a “God given right to be free.” - the Great Awakening.  The First Continental Congress was called for September 1774, before the events at Lexington.

Freedom  Colonists came to the “new land” in search of economic, political or/and religious freedom.  When this freedom was threatened by England, through military force, the Colonists declared their independence and went to war.  On July 4, 1776, the Declaration  of Independence was ratified.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

America’s First Government  Needing unity to defeat Great Britain the Continental Congress created the Articles of Confederation.  Following the ideal that the government closest to the people governs best, the Articles were very weak.  Many colonists feared a powerful federal government like that of England.

Articles Gave NO Direction  CC could not collect taxes.  CC could not raise an Army  CC could not manage trade between states or other nations.  No Court System or Executive.  2/3 of states needed to agree to pass a law.  ALL POWER RESTED IN THE STATES - They feared a strong federal government.

Shay’s Rebellion  The economy was in shambles and the farmers throughout the country side were losing their land.  Daniel Shays, MA., led a rebellion to close and burn court houses and state buildings.  MA could not put the rebellion down and the federal government could not help.

A Need for Change  With revolutionary leaders seeing the country they fought for being destroyed, they called for a Convention to modify the Articles.  55 Men met in Philly to modify the Articles but, they ended up overthrowing the Government and writing a new Constitution.