1. Forming a Nation

2. Objectives To review the events proceeding the Declaration of Independence To review the key political philosophies of the founding fathers To understand the difficulties faced under the Articles of Confederation To review the events of the implementation of our current constitution

3. Royal Injustices Navigation Acts –Mercantilism Writs of Assistance –Open Ended Search Warrants Intolerable or Coercive Acts Unfair Taxation –Molasses Act –Sugar Act –Stamp Act –Townshend Acts Boston Massacre –Tea Acts Boston Tea Party

4. The Continental Congresses No legal basis at the time 1 st Congress convened after Intolerable Acts –Split between wanting legislative equality and independence with Britain 2 nd Congress prepared for war and declared our independence from Britain

5. Thomas Jefferson Primary Author of Declaration of Independence Republicanism Anti-Federalist –State’s Rights Separation of Church and State

6. Alexander Hamilton Federalist –Strong Federal Government –Federalist Papers Implied Powers 1 st Secretary of Treasury –1 st Bank of US –National Debt

7. James Madison Father of the Constitution Federalist –Co-author of Federalist Papers –Many ideas more like Jefferson than Hamilton Author of Bill of Rights –Anti-Enumerated Powers

8. Declaration of Independence 2 nd Continental Congress accepted this on July 2 nd, 1776 Final version adopted on July 4 th, 1776 Created a new nation separate from the British Empire Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson –Based on writings of John Locke, George Mason, and Thomas Jefferson

9. American Revolution War actually started in 1775 –Shot heard ‘round the world Battle of Lexington and Concord Fighting ended in 1781 –Battle of Yorktown War ended in 1783 –Treaty of Paris

10. Articles of Confederation Drafted in 1776-77 Not adopted until 1781 First US constitution –Weak Federal Government –Established Name –Only congress could declare war –Accepts Revolutionary War Debts

11. Problems in Government Articles of Confederation created a weak federal government –Congress could not levy taxes Had to ask for money from states Could not pay debts –Each state only had one vote in congress –Required nine states approval to approve new members –Any changes/amendments required approval of congress and all state legislatures

12. Constitutional Convention Convened in Philadelphia at Independence Hall Initially convened to revise the Articles of Confederation Convention lasted approximately 4 month Multiple plans presented and compromises made –Houses of Congress –Slavery

13. Plans Virginia Plan Both Houses of Congress had proportional representation –Lower house by popular vote –Upper house by lower house vote Executive selected by Congress Judiciary New Jersey Plan Kept existing style of congress as Articles of Confederation –One State, One Vote Allowed for multi-person executive branch selected by congress Judiciary

14. Connecticut Compromise Blended Virginia and New Jersey Plans Congress has two houses –Lower elected by people with proportional representation –Upper House elected by people with one for each state

15. Slavery 3/5 compromise –Allowed for southern states to count 3/5 of slave and non-white population towards proportional representation and taxation Slavery Compromise –Congress had power to ban slave importation but could not exercise it for 20 years.

16. Ratification Required nine out of thirteen states approval Delaware 1 st to ratify New Hampshire 9 th to ratify; enacting constitution

17. Activity Write a Five Paragraph Essay –Would a strong federal government or a strong state/local government be more beneficial today in the US?

18. Next Time The Constitution Constitution Quiz