1. Birth of a Nation

2. Declaration of Independence
4 Parts:
Preamble
Declaration of Natural Rights
List of Grievances
Resolution
Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776

3. After Declaration… There was no going back
Each state wrote their own Constitution
Constitution- written plan of government

4. Before We Get started….. 3 Levels of Government: 1. National
(originally GB)
2. State
3. Local

5. Massachusetts Constitution
Last to make a constitution
Distribute power equally
Legislature, Governor, and Courts
Governor and Courts: power to check legislature

6. National Constitution Articles of Confederation
Confederation-group of individuals or gov’ts who band together for a common purpose
“League of Friendship”- system of cooperation btwn each colony/state

7. Articles of Confederation
1 house legislature- each state had 1 vote
Control over the army, deal w/ foreign countries
But:
No power to enforce laws
No power to tax
To Amend Articles, Need unanimous vote from all states
Amend- change

8. By 1781 All states ratified Articles of Confederation
Ratified- to vote approval of

9. From 1776-1783 Colonies at war: Battle of New York Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Yorktown

10. By 1783
Treaty of Paris (1783)- Great Britain recognizes independence of the United States of America

11. New Country problems Lots of debt, how to pay it off?
States tax people as much as they can in order to pay off debt
Citizens cannot pay taxes and make a living

12. Shaky National Government
Shays’ Rebellion
Daniel Shays
Refuses to pay the taxes, leads a rebellion

13. Shay’s Rebellion Important because:
Made it clear that the new United States needed a stronger central/national government
When the states/citizens were in trouble, the national gov. had no power/money to help its citizens

14. The Road to the Constitution

15. Review Questions
1. What are the four parts of the Declaration of Independence? Explain Each
2. Which part of the Declaration has to do with John Locke’s “Social Contract?” What does he say about it?
3. Name 2 specific problems Thomas Jefferson mentions in the List of Grievances. Explain them as best you can.