America’s Political Heritage
Section 3: Moving Toward Nationhood
Section Reading Support Transparency
Section Outline
I. A Clash of Views
II. A Declaration of Independence
III. Organizing a New Government
IV. A Limping Government
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Section 3: Moving Toward Nationhood
Main Idea
Key Terms
After becoming dissatisfied with English rule, the
•Compact
colonies declared themselves an independent
•Ratification
nation. After winning the American Revolution,
they turned to the task of strengthening and
improving their new government.
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Section 3: Moving Toward Nationhood
A Clash of Views
•English View
—
Parliament represented all English citizens, including the colonists.
•Colonists View
—
Since no colonists served in Parliament, nor could colonists vote for Parliament,
English government did not attend to colonial needs.
•Trade Conflict
—
Parliament only allowed the colonists to trade with England.
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Section 3: Moving Toward Nationhood
A Clash of Views (continued)
•“No Taxation Without Representation”
—
When Parliament decided to raise money to pay its debts by taxing the colonies, it
enraged many colonists.
•Steps Toward Independence
—
—
—
—
1774: The First Continental Congress
1775: The Second Continental Congress
1775: Fighting breaks out in Massachusetts.
1776: Common Sense is published.
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America’s Political Heritage: Section 3
The Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain
unalienable Rights, that among these are
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
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The Declaration of Independence (continued)
“…whenever any Form of Government
becomes destructive of these ends, it is the
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and
institute new Government.”
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The Declaration of Independence (continued)
•Writers
—
The Second Continental Congress, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin
Franklin, and John Adams
•Signed on July 4, 1776 in Philadelphia
—
As the American Revolution was being fought
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Section 3: Moving Toward Nationhood
Organizing a New Government
•Compact
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A written agreement to make and obey laws for the welfare of the group
•State Constitutions
—
During and after the Revolution, each state had its own constitution.
•The Articles of Confederation
—
1777: The original compact between the soon-to-be independent colonies
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Organizing a New Government (continued)
•Outline
—
—
Allowed for a national legislature, with each state having one vote.
There was no judicial branch.
•Problems
—
—
The Articles of Confederation needed the ratification or approval of all 13 states.
Many of the states had different opinions on whether there should be a strong
central government or strong state governments.
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Section 3: Moving Toward Nationhood
A Limping Government
•Postwar Problems With Debt and Trade
—
—
Congress had borrowed a large amount of money to pay for war supplies, but it
could not pay these debts back.
Congress was unable to regulate trade with England and other English colonies.
•Shays’ Rebellion
—
1786: Hundreds of angry Massachusetts farmers, led by Daniel Shays, revolted
to show their anger over poor trade conditions. This exposed a weak American
government and the need for a stronger national government.
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Section Reading Support Transparency
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