1. Founding Documents of The United States of America
The Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Constitution
Bill of Rights

2. The Declaration of Independence

3. The Declaration of Independence
The Basics:
Contents of the Declaration:
Date: July 4th 1776
Primarily written by Thomas Jefferson
Intended audience:
The audience were those wanting independence from England.
“Preamble”
Introduction
Protection of our basic rights
Principles of the Declaration
formal statement of complaint against the King of England
Grievances
Declaration of Independence from England
Conclusion

4. The Articles of Confederation

5. The Articles of Confederation
The Basics:
On June 11, 1776, the Second Continental Congress appointed a committee, composed of one representative from each colony, to draft a document forming of a confederation of the 13 colonies
Provisions of the Articles
A loose confederation of independent states
Weak central government

6. The Articles of Confederation
Shortcomings of the Articles
Congress could not
enact & collect taxes
regulate interstate or foreign trade
Regardless of population, each state had one vote in Congress
Two-thirds majority – 9 out of 13 states needed to agree to pass important laws.
Articles could be amended only if all states approved
There was no executive branch to enforce the laws of Congress
There was no national court system to settle legal disputes
There were 13 separate states that lacked national unity

7. The Constitution

8. The Constitution The Basics The Great Compromise
Constitutional Convention met in 1787 to amend the Articles of Confederation …
One of the biggest debates at the Constitutional Convention was over representation
populous states wanted proportional representation, and emptier states wanted equal representation.
Virginia Plain
1 house
Less powerful central government
New Jersey Plan
Extremely powerful central government
The middle ground
a Congress (with 2 Senators from each state) and a House of Representatives (with 1 Representative for every 30,000 people).
Three-fifths compromise

9. Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
Favored
ratification of the Constitution
Powerful central government
Argued
A Bill of Rights was not needed, as federal power was limited
Opposed
ratification of the Constitution
Powerful central government
Argued
A Bill of Rights was needed to declare and protect the rights of the people

11. The Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was the first test of the amendment process outlined in Article 5 of the Constitution.
The Constitution lays out two ways to amend a document.
2/3rd of both houses, or Conventions in 2/3rd of the states propose an amendment
3/4th of state legislatures or special conventions in each state ratifies the amendment
10 of 12 proposed amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791.