The American RevolutionThe American Revolution

Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of IndependenceHas three partsHas three partsNatural RightsNatural Rights::

purpose of government is to protect inalienable rights

rights that all people have

List of wrongs: by the British that led to the

Colonies to break awayIndependence:

announces that colonies are a free and independent nation, The United States of America

Celebrating the signingCelebrating the signing

1783-Treaty of Paris1783-Treaty of Paris• Granted independence• Ended the War• Set boundaries of new nation

THE EARLY REPUBLICTHE EARLY REPUBLIC

1781-18011781-1801

• Colonists came to America with concepts of :

• limited government– not all powerful, not

Absolute

• Representative government

• Ordered government– no government official

is above the law

Rights of EnglishmenRights of Englishmen• Magna Carta-1215

– King cannot tax or declare war without permission of the Nobles– cannot imprison without a jury trial/due process

• The Petition of Right-1628– protection of civil liberties – no taxation without consent of Parliament

• The Habeas Corpus Act-1679– prevent arbitrary arrest and imprisonment

• English Bill of Rights-1689– prevents abuse by monarchs and guarantees citizens rights

The idea of guaranteeing individual The idea of guaranteeing individual rights developed over time, 1215 – rights developed over time, 1215 – 16891689

Not just with the Bill of RightsNot just with the Bill of Rights

Articles of Confederation• Ran 1781-88• First constitution of the United

States – Provided for a weak central

government – Could tax but could not enforce – Could declare War– States held most power

• 13 separate governments• Mainly a defensive pact

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

• 1783-17891783-1789 known as known as “The Critical Period”“The Critical Period”• Nation nearly failed• New constitution was needed

Shay’s RebellionShay’s Rebellion

• Daniel Shays– led a rebellion by

farmers against unfair economic conditions and laws.

• Showed that the Government was ineffective• US political leadership realized something had to be

done

Constitutional Convention-1787 Constitutional Convention-1787 PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia

12/13 States attend (Rhode Island did not)

Convened to Strengthen Convened to Strengthen The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

• Realized early that a new system of government was needed

• Decided to meet in secret sessions

• George Washington-President of the convention

““Father of the Constitution”Father of the Constitution”

• James Madison– considered best

prepared delegate,– led many discussions– made many

proposals– Made daily notes

3 Key conflicts to resolve3 Key conflicts to resolve

• led to concepts of:• Separation of powers

– Created 3 branches of government• Legislative, Executive, Judicial

Branch• each Branch has its own power

and responsibility• Checks and Balances

– Maintains the separation of powers

– Each Branch has some control over other two

– No Branch in total control• President can veto laws,

Congress can over-ride veto

#1 - Strong Central Government vs. Weak Central Government

#2 - How to decide representation#2 - How to decide representation

• Large States vs. Small States• New Jersey Plan – each State represented equally, unicameral

congress• Virginia Plan – Representation by population, bicameral congress

• Resulted in the Great Compromise– bicameral congress/lower house based on

population/upper house equal representation– Both houses had to agree before something is

done.

#3 - North vs. South

• The 3/5’s Compromise – three out of five slaves would be counted for

representation and taxation

• Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise – congress could regulate trade – slave trade to be outlawed in 20 years (1808)

Ratification ProcessRatification Process• Acceptance needed for new

constitution to be enforced• Approval by 9 of 13 States

needed • 1st political parties formed

– Federalist – For– Anti-Federalist – Opposed,

wanted rights guaranteed• 1791 – Bill Of rights Added,

protection of individual rights

Federalist PapersFederalist Papers

• Series of essays written by Hamilton, Madison, John Jay– Reasons why Constitution

should be approved

• Collected and published in book form in New York – to convince people of New

York to support new constitution

Signing the ConstitutionSigning the Constitution

The ConstitutionThe Constitution

• The Supreme Law of the Land– establish legitimacy, right

to rule– Establishes “Popular

Sovereignty”• the people have the

final authority in government

StructureStructure

• Preamble – introduction/purpose of Constitution

• Articles (7) – rules/powers

• Amendments - 27 – 1-10 are the Bill of Rights– 13-15 are the Civil War Amendments – 16-27 are the 20th century amendments

• protects our individual rights• Added to appease the Anti-Federalists

Launching the New NationLaunching the New Nation

• George elected first President, 1789-1796

• New York City first capital city

• Built the Executive Branch

• Created the first cabinet – Assist, advise the

President

• served two terms (8 years) and stepped down– every President after

followed his example

• Farewell Address:– advises U.S. to stay

out foreign affairs, stay neutral.

John Adams elected 2nd President, John Adams elected 2nd President, 1797-18001797-1800

• very blunt, impatient–not very popular

• Fought a Quasi (partial) naval war with France– lasted two years

• Alien-Sedition Acts, 1798• allowed President to

deport or jail any alien considered to be undesirable or

• expressing “false, scandalous, malicious statements against the Government

• Resulted in two States nullifying the Act as unconstitutional