1. Freedom Week
Creating a Nation

2. Learning Targets
Analyze / evaluate the text , intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of Independence and US Constitution including the Bill of Rights
Identify the full text of the first three paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence
How did these principles impact historical events in US history?
Explain the contributions of Benjamin Rush, John Hancock, John Jay, John Witherspoon, John Peter Muhlenberg, Charles Carroll, and Johnathan Trumbull Sr.

3. The Declaration of Independence
Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson
Adopted on 4 July 1776
Consists of four parts
The Preamble – Explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration
Declaration of Natural Rights – states that people have certain basic rights (unalienable) that should be protected by government

4. The Declaration of Independence
List of Grievances – a list of complaints against the British government. King George III is singled out for blame in many of the grievances
Resolution of Independence by the United States – declares the colonies are “free and independent states” with the full power to make war, form alliances, and trade with other countries

5. Declaration of Independence
When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

6. Declaration of Independence
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable 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 to 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. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed.

7. Declaration of Independence
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former systems of government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states. To prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.

8. The United States Constitution
America’s first government after Independence was the Articles of Confederation
The Articles gave the states more power than the central government
Congress could not tax states or command any supplies from the states to help fight the Revolutionary War
After the war, the Articles led to chaos
A rebellion of farmers in Massachusetts, called Shay’s Rebellion, showed the weakness of government

9. The United States Constitution
Alexander Hamilton called for a convention to “revise the Articles of Confederation”
Representatives of all states except Rhode Island to draw up a new form of government
Delegates included George Washington, Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and Roger Sherman
The convention was held behind closed doors and windows as they did not want public opinion to influence their work

10. The United States Constitution
Most decisions were readily agreed to such as separation of powers, checks and balances, the three branches of government
Where they differed was in representation: big states wanted it based on population (Virginia Plan) and small states wanted equal representation (New Jersey Plan)

11. The United States Constitution
Connecticut or Great Compromise
Bi-cameral legislature
House representation based on population (power of the purse)
Senate representation equal – two per state
Three-Fifths Compromise
Slaves people or property?
Three-fifths of the number of slaves in each state to count towards representation and taxation

12. The United States Constitution
Essence of Constitution was
Popular Sovereignty – rule by the people
Republic – people would elect representatives
Federalism – the sharing of power between states and the federal government
If anybody were to be recognized as the “father of the US government” it would be Alexander Hamilton

13. The United States Constitution
Ratification
Some states ratified quickly
Some feared this new government would become as oppressive as the British one
To allay these fears, the Bill of Rights (first ten amendments) was added to the Constitution
New York was still undecided
Essays were published to sway the vote – those advocating ratification were called the Federalist Papers, those against were called the Anti- Federalist Papers

14. The United States Constitution
Nine states were needed to ratify to make the Constitution official
The Constitution was made official in 1789 – America had a new government
Last of the thirteen states to ratify was Rhode Island – 1790
James Madison is generally recognized as the “Father of the Constitution”

15. Assignment
Students may work individually, in pairs, or in groups of three
Students will complete ONE of the following
Restate the first ten amendments in everyday language
Draw cartoons/pictures that explain the first ten amendments
Explain the first ten amendments as a children’s story

16. Assignment
Students will choose a “founding father” and prepare a biography
Students may work individually, in pairs, or in groups of three
Groups will present their findings to the class
What groups MUST cover:
Name
Who was he in American society? (Occupation, status, accomplishments)
What impact did he specifically have on America’s founding?