1. Timeline of Important Events 1600s-1700s Series of taxes passed on colonists 1773 Boston Tea Party - Colonists tire of taxation w/out representation 1774 Continental congress asks King of England for fair treatment 1776 Colonists declare independence from England

2. Timeline Cont’d 1781 Articles of Confederation drafted (was too weak to be effective) 1783 Treaty of Paris (War over) 1787 Constitution created 1789 George Washington elected 1 st prez & Bill of Rights passed (1 st 10 amendments to constitution)

3. Bill of Rights The constitution allows for amendments to ensure protection & equality First 10 were added to make sure rights could not be taken away 1. Freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly 2. Right to have weapons for protection 3. You don’t have to house soldiers 4. Right against illegal search and seizure

4. 5. Right to fair trial by jury 6. Right to know charges against you 7. Right to be tried only 1X for a crime 8. Right against cruel and unusual punishment 9. Right to freedoms not specifically granted in constitution 10. Powers not given to federal gov. are reserved for states

5. How do we make sure our leaders don’t become too powerful? Power is shared between Federal & State gov’s (Federal System) Nat’l Gov was split into 3 branches: Each branch is “checked and balanced” with power over the others Judicial (Supreme Court)-Interprets Laws Executive (Prez)-Enforces Laws Legislative(House & Senate)-Makes Laws

6. How does each branch check each other? The president can veto a law made by the legislature, but the legislature can override the veto w/ a 2/3 majority vote The president appoints justices to the Supreme Court, but the senate has to approve his judge The Judicial branch interprets laws, but they can be impeached by congress