1. IV. American Revolution

2. 1. Americans Protest British Policies:
a) , U.K./colonies fought the French & Indian War (costly).
b) To raise $, U.K. taxed the colonists.
c) 1765, Parliament passed ‘Stamp Act.’
d) “No taxation without representation.”

3. 2. U. S. Revolution began w/ Battle. of Lexington & Concord (April
The shot heard 'round the world

4. 3. Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. a) Started Revolution.
b) Written by Thomas Jefferson.
i. Supported civil liberties. ii. Influenced by the Enlightenment.
-- Told King George III of U.K. the colonists should be free.
-- The central principle of the Declaration of Independence
is the consent of the governed.

5. a) Americans feared a strong gov’t. b) Established a (weak) Congress.
4. Articles of Confederation – Combined 13 colonies into a loose federation of states.
a) Americans feared a strong gov’t.
b) Established a (weak) Congress.
► Each state was concerned with its own interests
and feared a strong central government.

6. 5. U.S. Constitution:
a) 1787, Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
b) Developed a better gov’t (the Constitution).
Scene at the
signing of the
U.S. Constitution

7. c). Representative Gov’t –. Citizens elect representatives
c) Representative Gov’t – Citizens elect representatives to make laws for them (indirect democracy).

8. d). Federal System – Powers. divided between the. federal gov’t
d) Federal System – Powers divided between the federal gov’t & state gov’t.
Separation of Powers (executive, legislative, and judicial branches = checks and balances) based on writings of Montesquieu (James Madison).

9. works of Locke, Montesquieu, and Voltaire.
6. James Madison – Father of Constitution.
a) Influenced by Enlightenment.
b) Included 3 branches of gov’t (Montesquieu) & federal system.
Before the Constitutional Convention, he spent a year preparing by reading the
works of Locke, Montesquieu, and Voltaire.

10. The Bill of Rights. a) 1789, first 10 Amendments of Constitution.
1st Amendment -- Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly.
2nd Amendment – the right to bear arms.
4th Amendment -- The right against unreasonable searches and seizures.