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The First U.S. Government. Independence, Revolution, Articles of Confederation, and Change. American Colonies. British colonies in North America since 1607 French and Indian War (1754-1763) British government taxed colonies to pay for the war Colonists rebel Declare Independence in 1776. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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The First U.S. Government
Independence, Revolution, Articles of Confederation, and Change
American Colonies
British colonies in North America since 1607
French and Indian War (1754-1763)
British government taxed colonies to pay for the war
Colonists rebel Declare Independence in
1776
Declaring Independence
1775 - Fighting between colonists and British soldiers
1776 - Colonists met at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia
Thomas Jefferson - wrote the Declaration of Independence
THE Declaration of Independence Listed reasons for colonies
separation from Great Britain
Outlines the philosophy of the United States government Based on ‘CONSENT OF
THE GOVERNED’ If WILL OF THE PEOPLE
IGNORED, we have a RIGHT TO CHANGE the government
Purpose of government is to PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS
Ideals of American Government
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Founding Fathers dedicated… “THEIR LIVES, THEIR FORTUNES, AND… SACRED HONOR.”
The Declaration of Independence: 1776
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The Articles of Confederation First American plan of
government 1777-1787 (approved 1781) Confederation - loose
association of states States had equal powers
(large and small) One lawmaking body, no
president, no courts Writers wanted to preserve
states’ SOVEREIGNTY = ultimate authority or power.
Articles of Confederation
National Government One house lawmaking body called Congress
State Government Protecting state sovereignty was important to the
creators Sovereignty or power to rule over a territory State gov. was made strong with the right to enforce
laws and regulate trade
Articles of ConfederationSuccesses:•Won the war•Land Ordinance of
1785•NW Ordinance of
1787•Treaty of Paris
Weaknesses:•Congress could not enact and collect
taxes.•Congress could not regulate interstate or
foreign trade.•Each state had only one vote in
Congress, regardless of population.•Nine out of 13 states needed to agree to
pass any law.•The Articles could be amended only if
all states approved.•There was no executive branch to
enforce laws of Congress.•There was no national court system to
settle congressional law disputes.
Articles of Confederation
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Articles of Confederation
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Hard Times under the Articles of Confederation
After the Revolutionary War The Articles did not give the new government the
powers it needed to solve these problems: Destruction of Property Trade with other countries had slowed Poor economy and a massive debt
The Articles Fail
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The Need for Change
Main problem the Articles did not give the national
government enough power to operate effectively
Citizens lack a national identity Many leaders began to favor strengthening
the national government
The Need for a Change
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