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The First U.S. Government

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.

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The First U.S. Government

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  1. The First U.S. Government Independence, Revolution, Articles of Confederation, and Change

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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.”

  6. The Declaration of Independence: 1776

  7. 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.

  8. 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

  9. Successes: •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

  10. Articles of Confederation

  11. Articles of Confederation

  12. 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

  13. The Articles Fail

  14. 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

  15. The Need for a Change

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