1. U.S. History Foundations of Our Constitutional Republic Celebrating Freedom

2. John Hancock -- First to sign Declaration of Independence; First President of the Continental Congress; Helped finance the Revolution John Jay -- President of the Continental Congress from 1778 to 1779; Served as an ambassador to Spain and France during American Revolution; First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court Authored the Federalist Papers Dr. Benjamin Rush -- Signer of the Declaration of Independence; Member of the Convention of Pennsylvania - adopted the Constitution; “father of American medicine” John Witherspoon -- Signer of the Declaration of Independence; president of College of New Jersey (Princeton University); only active clergyman to sign the Declaration Charles Carroll – Signer of the Declaration; was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence John Peter Muhlenberg – led army during Battle of Yorktown; member of Congress from Pennsylvania Jonathan Trumball -- As Governor of the colony of Connecticut (1769- 1776), he was the only colonial governor to support the American Revolution

3. Constitution (signed in 1787) Delegates from each state met to amend the Articles of Confederation, but instead created a new document. New government based on Federalism – power is divided between state and national governments. Separation of Powers – checks and balances prevented any one of the three branches of government (executive, judicial, and legislative) from gaining too much power. It is a “living” document that can meet the changing needs of Americans. Bill of Rights added to Constitution. First ten amendments spelled out personal liberties guaranteed to all citizens. –1 st Amendment: guarantees citizens rights to freedom of religion, speech, the press, petition, and assembly. RAPPS! –2 nd & 3 rd Amendments state that the govt. can not deny citizens the right to bear arms and private homes do not have to take in troops during peacetime. –4 th Amendment: prevents the search of citizens’ homes without proper warrants. –5 th – 8 th Amendments: guarantee fair treatment for individuals accused of crimes. –9 th & 10 th Amendments: place limits on the powers of the federal government.

4. 7 Principles of Government

5. Popular Sovereignty -- The power to rule comes from the people; “Consent of the Governed Republicanism -- people elect others to represent them in the government. Federalism -- government in which the states and national government share powers. Separation of Powers -- This principle creates the division of basic government roles into 3 branches. No one branch is given all the power. Check and Balances -- Each branch of government can exercise checks, or controls, over the other branches Limited Government – federal government is limited to the power given to them in the Constitution. No more, no less Amendments – Constitution could be amended as needed

6. Alexis de Tocqueville Young French aristocrat & social scientist. Traveled throughout the United States in the 1830s to better understand the growing ideas of liberty & equality in our young nation. Published Democracy in America in 1835, and identified 5 unique “American” values that were crucial to the success of our constitutional republic. –Liberty – freedom –Egalitarianism – promotion of the belief in the equality of all people politically, socially, & economically –Individualism – belief in the rights & dignity of each individual, also strong sense of self-reliance –Populism – grass-roots democracy, working-class activism –Laissez-faire – belief that the government should intervene as little as possible in economic affairs

7. The U.S. has two mottos: 1.E Pluribus Unum – “Out of Many, One” -The U.S. is a “melting pot” of people, but we are all one nationality. We are AMERICANS! 2. In God We Trust – - Is a line from The Star Spangled Banner. - Dates back to the nation’s early documents. - The nation is trusting something bigger than itself.