Goal 1
Foundations of the
U.S. Political System
Civics & Economics
Goal 1: The learner will investigate the foundations of the American political
system and explore basic values and principles of American democracy.
Objectives
1.01 Describe how geographic diversity influenced economic, social, and political life in colonial
North America.
1.02 Trace and analyze the development of ideas about self-government in British North America.
1.03 Examine the causes of the American Revolution.
1.04 Elaborate on the emergence of an American identity.
1.05 Identify the major domestic problems of the nation under the Articles of Confederation and assess
the extent to which they were resolved by the new Constitution.
1.06 Compare viewpoints about government in the Federalist and the Anti-Federalist Papers.
1.07 Evaluate the extent to which the Bill of Rights extended the Constitution.
1.08 Compare the American system of government to other forms of government.
THE ENGLISH COLONIES
What is geography? It's the study of earth and its people! The geography of the east coast of North
America definitely influenced the way the British colonies developed.
NEW ENGLAND: Let's write the names of the New England colonies down right now!
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
When we talk about these colonies, certain characteristics were common.
For example, the soil in New England is VERY rocky. If you had very rocky soil,
would farming be an easy way to make a living? No. That's why most of the New
Englanders were fishermen, shippers, and lumbermen. Now, what about the
climate, hot and humid? NO WAY! The climate is harsh, especially in the winter.
Because the winter is so long, farmers could only plant one crop a year. What was east of these
colonies? ___________________________ Now you understand why shipping, shipbuilding, and
manufacturing were so important to this region. The geography of the area would not allow for
successful farming, so the people turned to other ways to make a living.
MIDDLE COLONIES: The Middle Colonies are known as ‘The
Breadbasket.’ They get this nickname because the geography of the region
makes it a great place to farm certain crops like wheat, corn, barley, and rye.
The soil is fertile and contains fewer rocks than in New England. The climate
is temperate. The middle colonies also had resources which made it easy to
produce goods. Let's write down the names of the middle colonies now.
______________________________ ______________________________
______________________________ ______________________________
Did the Middle Colonies manufacture and build ships like the New England colonies? Yes, they did,
but not on the scale of New England. Likewise, the middle colonies did not grow southern cash crops.
SOUTHERN COLONIES: The southern colonies are nearly the opposite of New
England. The South had excellent soil. It also had a mild climate, which meant
multiple plantings per year. It had abundant rainfall and things tended to grow very
well. The major cash crops were rice, indigo, and tobacco. Let's review the
names of the southern colonies now.
______________________
__________________________
______________________
__________________________
______________________
Did the South manufacture and build ships like New England? No, because farmers were very
successful. The South usually traded for their manufactured goods from England which, in turn,
bought southern cash crops. The south based its economy on the plantation system of farming that
used slave labor. In the early colonial period, slaves arrived directly from Africa.
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Triangular Trade
This map illustrates just one of the many
‘triangles’ that occurred in colonial
America. The slave portion of the triangle
was called the Middle Passage. The
voyage usually took one to two months to
complete.
Let’s read from Olaudah Equiano’s 1789
book, The Interesting Narrative of the Life
of Olaudah Equiano, The African, as he
describes the horror of the voyage from
Africa to the New World:
The shrieks of the women, and the groans of the dying, rendered the whole a scene of horror almost
inconceivable . . . One day, when we had a smooth sea, and a moderate wind, two of my wearied
countrymen, who were chained together (I was near them at the time), preferring death to such a life of
misery, somehow made through the nettings, and jumped into the sea . . . Many a time we were near
suffocation . . .This, and the stench of the necessary tubs, carried off many.
The Differences between Indentured Servants and Slaves
Indentured servants were people who agreed to work without pay for another person for a set amount
of time, usually 7 years. They usually owed money and this was the only way to pay off the debt. They
had, by law, basic civil rights. Many indentured servants came from Europe and they had a choice to
work without payment. Slaves, on the other hand, had no rights and were considered their owner's
property. Most slaves came from Africa either directly, or through the Caribbean. They had no choice
to work without payment.
Fill-in the T-Chart with at least three differences between indentured servants and slaves
Indentured Servants
Slaves
To sum up, geography did play a part in the way the colonists made their money and lived their
lives. You must know that there are three separate regions and the major characteristics of each. Once
you have accomplished this, you will be ready to get to know the important colonies and the economic
system they used with the mother country, Britain.
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MAP: 13
ORIGINAL
COLONIES
1. Label the
following bodies of
water:
Atlantic Ocean
The Great Lakes
Ohio River
Mississippi
River
2. Label each
colony individually
and shade the New
England region
lightly red.
3. Label each
colony individually
and shade the
Middle Colonies
lightly yellow.
4. Label each
colony individually
and shade the
Southern Colonies
lightly green.
5. Label
Appalachian
Mountains. Shade
this area brown.
Answer the following:
6. Which colony was between the 2 parts of Massachusetts?__________________________________
7. Which group of colonies covered the larges land area?_____________________________________
8. Which landform caused a natural barrier against western expansion? _________________________
9. Which colony was the smallest? _________________
10. Which colony was a buffer from the Seminole Indians? ________________________________
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BRITISH COLONIALISM
There were many types of colonies. A ROYAL COLONY was a colony under the control of
the British monarch. A PROPRIETARY COLONY was owned by an individual or “proprietor.”
The final colony was the SELF-GOVERNING COLONY. This type of colony is just as it sounds.
There is no influence by the King in England. Connecticut was an example.
In 1607, JAMESTOWN, Virginia became the first successful British colony in the New
World. The sole purpose of Jamestown was to make money for the London Company, a joint-stock
venture. Investors shared both the risk and reward of founding a colony through a JOINT STOCK
COMPANY. Jamestown was not successful at first and actually went through a period known as the
‘Starving Time.’ Food was scarce and many people died. But as time passed, tobacco became the #1
cash crop and the colony became rich. JOHN SMITH helped Jamestown become successful. The
London Company gave the Virginia colonists the right to elect a LEGISLATURE called THE
HOUSE OF BURGESSES. This is a form of an INDIRECT DEMOCRACY. An indirect
democracy is where a small amount of people are elected to REPRESENT the will of the majority of
people. In essence, a republic was formed.
While it is true that the first Africans came to Jamestown, they did not come as slaves, but as
indentured servants. YOU are expected to know the difference between a slave and an indentured
servant. Also, American Indians during this time were unsure about the newcomers. Some tribes were
quite hostile and some were welcoming. Many American Indians contracted diseases from the
Europeans and died as a result. Unfortunately, American Indians will be forced to move from their
tribal lands to make way for European settlement.
PLYMOUTH COLONY: In 1620, the PILGRIMS came to the New World
to avoid religious persecution. The Pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower and
landed north of Virginia at Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The most important
thing to remember about the Pilgrims is that the men on the Mayflower signed
a document called the MAYFLOWER COMPACT. In the compact, the
Pilgrims agreed to make laws for the good of the colony. Let's take a look at
the document and then let's BREAK IT DOWN!!!
"In the name of God, Amen. We, whose names are underwritten, the Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign
Lord, King James, by the Grace of God, of England, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, e&.
Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our
King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia; do by these presents,
solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together
into a civil body politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid;
And by Virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts,
Constitutions and Offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the General
good of the Colony; unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In Witness whereof we have
hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord,
King James of England, France and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domini,
1620”
The Mayflower Compact was the first government in the English colonies that was formed by the
people themselves.
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MASSACHUSETTS BAY COLONY: The PURITANS were dissenters that left England in search
of religious freedom. A DISSENTER is one who disagrees. They got their name because they wanted
to change, or purify, the Church of England. The Puritans were not like the Pilgrims. While the
Pilgrims tried to get along with the American Indians, the Puritans distrusted them. Puritans were very
uptight and judgmental of others who did not share their faith. The word we want to learn here is
‘intolerant.’ When somebody you meet is intolerant, you know it because they only see things their
way! Puritans wanted to create a ‘CITY UPON THE HILL,’ a community where other people could
look up to and admire and eventually copy. By the way, the Puritans were left free to run their own
political affairs. As Virginia (Jamestown) developed an indirect democracy, Massachusetts and
surrounding areas developed the NEW ENGLAND TOWN MEETING. All white, male citizens of
the town had the right to speak-up and vote in the town meetings. This is called a DIRECT
DEMOCRACY.
SALEM WITCH TRIALS:
Between May and October 1692, in the town of Salem, Massachusetts
Bay Colony, several young girls, claimed to be possessed by the devil and
accused three women of witchcraft. Under pressure, the accused women
named others in false confessions. Encouraged by Puritan leaders, a
special civil court was arranged to conduct trials against the accused. The
trials resulted in the conviction and hanging of 19 ‘witches’ and the
imprisonment of nearly 150 others. Eventually the public grew concerned
that the ‘witch hunts’ were brought on by hysteria and jealousy. The convictions were later annulled.
RHODE ISLAND: As stated, the Puritan church was very strict. Puritans made all the inhabitants go
to their church. ROGER WILLIAMS disagreed with the Puritan leadership, who were also the
community leaders. He was labeled a religious dissenter. He thought Puritans had no right to force a
person to attend the Puritan church. He also believed in the fair treatment of the American Indians, a
very unpopular idea. He was so critical that the Puritans banished him from the colony. Williams then
founded RHODE ISLAND, the first colony that allowed freedom of religion. Williams truly believed
that church and government must be kept apart. Where do we see a "living" reminder of this idea?
PENNSYLVANIA: WILLIAM PENN founded the colony of Pennsylvania. Penn was
a QUAKER. Quakers believe in the fundamental brotherhood of man. This is the
concept of PACIFISM. Pacifism is the idea of kindness and love toward mankind.
Quakers do not believe in fighting or war. They did not take land away from the
American Indians; rather, they bought land from them. Today, we still have Quakers
and they still believe in their kind and peaceful ways.
OTHER BRITISH COLONIES: North and South Carolina were started as farming colonies.
Tobacco, rice, and indigo were important in the southern areas. South Carolina eventually becomes a
wealthy and powerful colony because of cash crops. Georgia was created as a debtor colony and also
to be a buffer between Charleston and the Seminoles of Florida.
MARYLAND was founded by LORD BALTIMORE, aka Cecil Calvert. The colony was considered
a ‘safe haven’ for Catholics. Back in those days, Catholics were persecuted in Britain. Many
Catholics settled in Maryland, but so did a bunch of Protestants. To protect the Catholics, Lord
Baltimore promised freedom of worship to all settlers. In 1649, Maryland passed a law called the
TOLERATION ACT. In this case, the law guaranteed all Christians, freedom of worship. Where do
we see a modern reminder of this law?
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The original 13 colonies were founded for many reasons. While some colonists came to find
religious freedom, many came to make money for themselves and, more importantly, for Britain. The
British government was happy with this arrangement because they made tons of money, so much
money that the mother country IGNORED the signs of independence that began to develop all over the
Eastern Seaboard. When Britain finally realized that the colonies were getting a bit too independent, it
was too late!!
Answer the following:
1. Who led Jamestown to success?
2. Jamestown, 1609-1610, was known as the ____________ ___________ because conditions were
so bad.
3. List two obvious differences between a slave and an indentured servant.
4. What document did the Pilgrims create to help govern the colony?
5. In the Mayflower Compact, who is the supreme authority(ies) over the Pilgrims?
6. What did the Pilgrims agree to do together as a colony?
7. Another religious group settled in Massachusetts, who were they? ______________
8. Puritans get their name because they wanted to ________________the Church of
England.
9. What is a dissenter?
10. What religious leader was banished from Massachusetts?
11. List at least 2 reasons Roger Williams criticized the Puritans
12. What lesson can be learned from the Salem Witch Trials?
13. Maryland was a safe place for which religious group?
14. The Toleration Act came from which colony?
15. The Toleration Act included all religions. True/False
16. What do Quakers believe?
17. Who founded Pennsylvania?
18. Quakers believed in paying for land from Indians. True/False
19. Which colony was a buffer from the Seminoles?
20. Why did many people come to the colonies?
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The Development of the Political System in America
The following timeline outlines the various documents, groups, and people which contributed to the growth of
the American political system.
DATE
1215
MAGNA CARTA
1619
HOUSE OF
BURGESSES
1620
MAYFLOWER
COMPACT
Description
It established the idea of constitutional liberties for British
citizens. The Magna Carta actually limited the power of the
king.
The first legislative meeting was held in Jamestown, the first
such assembly in the colonies. The House of Burgesses was
an indirect representative government.
The Mayflower Compact established that government, by
creating a "civil body politic" was comprised of the people.
1689
NEW ENGLAND TOWN White male landowners make the decisions on how to run
their community. Town Meetings create a direct democracy:
MEETINGS
1 man = 1 vote.
ESTABLISHED
This placed strict limits on the British monarchy. This is a
foundation for the US Constitution’s Bill of Rights as it
THE ENGLISH BILL
expressly listed some of the rights guaranteed by the
OF RIGHTS
government.
1774
FIRST CONTINENTAL
CONGRESS
1620s
1775
1776
1776
SECOND
CONTINENTAL
CONGRESS
Common Sense
DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE
This colonial group formed as a reaction to the British
Parliament’s taxation policy. Americans protested against the
abuses of Parliament!
This assembly met to form an army and navy and made
George Washington Commander-in-Chief. Americans are
mad and they are not going to take it much more!
Thomas Paine’s pamphlet that outlined the reasons for
independence from the British Monarchy. It was very popular
in the colonies!
This finally and formally cut the ties to the mother country,
Britain. It laid the foundation for the U.S. to become the first
democratic republic in modern times. It also has been an
inspiration for later generations.
Philosophers that Influenced the American Political System
1688: John Locke’s philosophy of government rejects the divine right of kings; rather, every person is entitled to
certain natural rights: life, liberty, and property. Locke believes it is the duty of the government to protect these
rights.
1748: Baron Montesquieu believed government should be divided into three branches and that each branch
should place limits on the other.
1762: Rousseau’s most important work is ‘The Social Contract’ that describes the relationship of man with
society.
1776: Thomas Paine’s said it was “Common Sense” to break away from England!
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Long Term Causes of the American Revolution
Each British colony was very independent. They made money in various ways, they were
established for different reasons, and they set up their own local governments to take care of day-today colonial life. Even though the 13 colonies were part of the British Empire, there were many
different ethnic groups living there. Since Britain was so far away, American colonists “grew up”
without much supervision from the king.
As the British began to move westward, danger was everywhere!! Native-Americans raided
English settlements. Also, the French threatened the colonists by accusing them of stealing trapping
lands! Finally, in Europe, France and Britain were at war, so war in the colonies was probable.
In 1754, the "enlightened" Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union. The plan
would create a central government in the colonies that would work together to fight off the French and
Indians. His motto was "Join or Die." It was not successful because each colony had its own colonial
legislature and did not want to give up power or money to support the plan.
The war in North America began in 1754. The French
and Indians fought the Colonials and the British. The war lasted
about 9 years. This was known as the French and Indian War.
The colonial army was very important during the war. After
years of fighting; the British finally beat the French. In 1763,
the countries signed a peace treaty. The British got Canada and
the Ohio and Mississippi River Valleys. The big loser was
France. Britain was now the power in North America and the
world! The colonists were happy because now they could move
west into new land, or could they?
PROCLAMATION LINE OF 1763
After the French and Indian War, the American colonists celebrated their
victory against the French, but the happiness did not last long! Britain needed
the colonists to help pay-off the war debt. Taxing seemed to be the only answer.
Colonists were angry! Then, King George III, King of England, and Parliament
issued THE PROCLAMATION OF 1763 which closed the lands west of the
Appalachian Mountains to settlement. This land, according to the government in
Britain, was reserved for the American Indian. King George III and Parliament
wanted to protect settlers and promote good will towards the Indians--instead; it
made the colonists very angry!
But WHY should the colonists be mad? After all, the mother country was
the overall authority over the colonists. The problem goes far back in colonial history. The economic
policy, MERCANTILISM, favors the mother country, Britain:
1.
2.
3.
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Mercantilism kept Britain very rich. Colonies exist for the benefit of the mother country! The
needs of the colonies were secondary. Americans will begin to realize they can make economic
decisions for themselves-and keep all the profits!
Also, when the colonists first started making money for Britain, the mother country allowed the
colonists to pretty much run their own political, economic, and social affairs. The British ignored
illegal colonial smuggling. This is known as SALUTARY NEGLECT. As long as the colonies were
raking-in cash for Britain, the British and colonists alike ignored important trade laws, called the
NAVIGATION ACTS.
Examples from the Navigation Acts include such requirements as:
1. All goods from any country had to be sent through British seaports. These goods had a duty
placed on them. What's a duty?
2. All goods shipped to and from the colonies had to be on British ships.
3. Some items produced in the colonies could only be sold to Britain. This is why so many
captains "smuggled" goods into and out of the colonies.
4. England kept a FAVORABLE BALANCE OF TRADE, selling more goods than it bought.
After the war, when money was tight in England, the mother country made a vow to enforce
the Navigation Acts.
All of these things combined: the Proclamation of 1763, the enforcement of the Navigation
Acts, and the end of Salutary Neglect charted a course that would lead to separation from Britain.
Each conflict between colonists and the mother country increased tensions. Politically, the colonists
felt it unfair that there was not a colonist in Parliament looking after their needs. But Britain said each
member of Parliament DID represent the needs of the colonists. Britain believed in virtual
representation. This means that members of Parliament did represent the colonists because they were
all British citizens. However, the colonists insisted that only their colonial legislatures, not Parliament,
could tax them. The term: "NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION" becames a
popular saying in the colonies.
1. Which group, colonists and/or the British, does Mercantilism benefit the most?
2. Which group, colonists and/or British, tend to ignore the Navigation Acts?
3. Which group, colonists and/or British, benefited from Salutary Neglect?
Immediate Causes of the American Revolution
For such a long time, both England and its colonies practiced SALUTARY NEGLECT. As we
know, England made a mistake by allowing the colonists such independence. By neglecting to enforce
the NAVIGATION ACTS and by allowing the colonial legislatures to have as much power as they
did, England was going to have a hard time convincing colonists to obey their rules. But is England
wrong in ending salutary neglect? Circle: YES or NO. Why?
__________________________________________________________________________________
Of course, the colonists were angry at the PROCLAMATION of 1763. But why should the
colonists be so upset? After all, King George III and Parliament insisted they were only "protecting"
the colonists from Indian attack.
10
We are about to look at the chain of events that propel the colonists into open rebellion. As
you are reading and studying each event, think to yourself, does Britain have the right to do this? You
may be surprised at your answer!
In every good story there is a beginning. In this tale, we will start at the passage of the
SUGAR ACT of 1764. This was a tax on things like coffee and sugar that entered colonial ports.
Remember! England was looking for ways to pay the huge war debt AND pay for continuing to
protect the borders. It costs money to run an army, even back in then. The colonists protested the
Sugar Act! The colonists said that Parliament could not tax them without having an American colonist
representing THEIR interests in Parliament. The British were bewildered to say the least! Under
VIRTUAL REPRESENTATION every member of Parliament represents all British citizens, including
the colonists. The colonists insisted: NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION!!
DID PARLIAMENT HAVE THE "RIGHT" TO TAX THE COLONISTS?___
In March 1765, Parliament passed the Quartering Act. Under the terms of this legislation,
each colonial assembly was directed to provide for the basic needs of soldiers stationed within its
borders. Specified items included bedding, cooking utensils, firewood, and candles. Colonists were
mad. Imagine if Fayetteville had to house all the soldiers stationed at Fort Bragg!
DID PARLIAMENT HAVE THE “RIGHT” TO DO THIS? _______
The story becomes even more tragic when Parliament passed the STAMP ACT in 1765. This was
a tax on all printed materials. The colonists protested the Stamp Act by doing all sorts of naughty and
illegal things. 9 out of 13 colonies met in New York to draft a letter to Parliament protesting the tax.
This is known as the STAMP ACT CONGRESS. The first open resistance to Parliament and the
King came with the formation of the SONS OF LIBERTY. The Sons of Liberty believed that action
spoke louder than words. They organized many Stamp Act Riots. They tarred and feathered tax
agents. Another method of protest was a boycott on British good by the colonists. This boycott got
England's attention because the British merchants were losing so much money, they complained. The
government REPEALED the Act.
If the colonists believed they caused the Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act, what do you think the
colonists will do the next time a new tax is proposed? You got it! PROTEST!!
DID PARLIAMENT HAVE THE "RIGHT" TO TAX THE COLONISTS? ____
1767-- Britain again tried to tax the colonists. The Townshend Acts was an indirect tax on
glass, lead, paper, paint, tea, etc. Explain what an indirect tax is: _____________________________
The Boston Massacre
It was a cold March day in 1770 when the horrible, terrible,
unbelievable BOSTON MASSACRE occurred. Basically a
crowd gathered and British soldiers that were on patrol were spit
on and yelled at. . . ALL OF A SUDDEN, an ice ball hit a British
soldier, he fell, a gun went off and then other British soldiers
panicked! More shots were fired!! 5 colonists were dead and the
colonists call it a MASSACRE for propaganda's sake!
When you think of the word massacre, do you think a lot
of people are dead, or do the events on that March day really
describe a massacre?
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We are now going to look at the events that led to the eventual separation from England.
During the years 1770 to 1773, things appeared normal, but there was unhappiness. The colonists
formed COMMITTEES OF CORRESPONDENCE. Colonies exchanged letters with each other
telling what was happening with Britain.
In 1773, the British government really gave the Committees of Correspondence something to write
about. Under the Tea Act, the price of tea was greatly reduced and the colonists were angry. Hey,
that doesn't sound right!! Shouldn't they be happy that the price of tea went down? Actually, the
colonists resented the MONOPOLY (complete control of a good) that the British had on the tea. The
colonists would have rather bought the "smuggled" Dutch tea. Why? Legend has it that Dutch tea was
better tasting than the bitter British tea.
Boston Tea Party
It was a dark and stormy night December 16, 1773 when the Sons
of Liberty, disguised as American Indians, boarded ships, broke crates
open with their tomahawks, and threw tea into Boston Harbor. By today’s
standards, millions of dollars of tea was thrown into the harbor. King
George and Parliament were not amused! This event is known as the
Boston Tea Party.
This incident began a series of events that forever changed the
course of history. First, King George III was very upset at the Boston Tea
Party. He got Parliament to pass a series of laws called the COERCIVE ACTS. These laws included
the closing the port of Boston. It also allowed for British soldiers to be "quartered" in public buildings.
Town Meetings were forbidden. The colonists called the Coercive Acts the INTOLERABLE ACTS
because they were so harsh. Do you think the colonists would put-up with these unbearable acts?
NO!! Colonial leaders met in Philadelphia in 1774 to protest against the laws. This meeting is known
as the FIRST CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
Meanwhile, the "scoop" around town was that the colonists had a secret gun supply located in
the town of Concord. The British Army sent troops to collect these weapons and the ‘ring-leaders,’
Samuel Adams and John Hancock. But the colonists were sneaky and find out the British were on
their way. THE BRITISH ARE COMING!!!! was the battle cry of Paul Revere and William Dawes.
When the British arrived at Lexington, they met a group of colonial soldiers. They were called
Minutemen because they could be ready to fight at a moments notice. Soon after, another battle took
place at Concord. As the British were retreating, the colonists continued to fight. When it was all
over, over 250 British "Redcoats" were dead or wounded. Concord and Lexington are known as the
“Shot Heard around the World” because the American Revolution sparked many revolutions around
the world.
May 1775: Colonial leaders attend the SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS. This group
formed the colonial army and navy. They appointed GEORGE WASHINGTON to lead the American
army as Commander-in-Chief.
January, 1776: The colonists read a pamphlet called COMMON SENSE by
Thomas Paine. He had a lot to do with American colonists changing their mind
and supporting the revolution. Paine said people have a natural right to rule
themselves and that all monarchies should be abolished. This was quite radical at
the time. The pamphlet was a best seller!
Politically, the colonists already had local and state governments in place.
Economically, they were also ready to “cut out the middle man” and make profit
for themselves, and socially, people were tired of being used and abused. They did
not feel close to Britain and many were not British!
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In June, the 2nd Continental Congress met again. They voted to break away from Britain.
Thomas Jefferson, inspired by John Locke and others, wrote the DECLARATION OF
INDEPENDENCE, a "letter" to King George III and Parliament explaining WHY the colonists
wanted to be free. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration was approved and the UNITED STATES OF
AMERICA WAS BORN!!!
Patriots fought hard to become free. Loyalists tried to support the British government and fight
against the rebels. The major turning point battle was at Saratoga, New York in September-October
1777 because the French became convinced to aid the Americans. The war ended at Yorktown,
Virginia October 1781, when the British General Lord Cornwallis was surrounded by the Patriots by
land and the French by sea. The British surrendered and the United States was finally and forever free!
At the Treaty of Paris, 1783, immediate results include:
1.) The United States was a free/independent nation.
2.) Mississippi River was the western boundary of the U.S.
Questions
1. What major problem did Britain face after winning the French
and Indian War?
2. Why did the colonists oppose the Proclamation of 1763?
3. Why did the Colonist oppose the Sugar Act and the Stamp Act?
4. What was the BRITISH view of these laws?
MATCHING
A. Wrote the Declaration of Independence
1. Committees of Correspondence
B. Tax collected on documents and newspapers
2. salutary neglect
C. Effective line of communication between 13 colonies
3. Boston Massacre
D. King of England
4. Proclamation of 1763
E. Nationalism
5. Stamp Act
F. French lose claims in North America
6. Thomas Jefferson
G. Group of men who protested taxation
7. George III
H. Deadly confrontation between colonists/British
8. Sons of Liberty
I. Limited westward movement
9. Devotion to one's country
Policy: not regulating the colonies closely
10. French/ Indian War
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T/F: If false, tell why.
1. The Proclamation of 1763 temporarily closed the door to colonial settlement west of the
Appalachians.
2. Colonists opposed the Stamp Act because it was the first attempt of Parliament to tax them directly.
3. The Tea Act closed the port of Boston to all shipping.
Classifying:
Classify the following British laws. Mark M if it was designed to make money, P if it was meant to
punish the Colonists, and A if it had another purpose. Explain the act.
1. Sugar Act
2. Tea Act
3. Stamp Act
4. Coercive Acts
5. Quartering Act
Signs of Unity: Keeping all events in mind, list events or actions that would actually aid in unifying
the colonists. (Give at least 4 reasons)
Loyalist or Patriot-Rebel?
If you had been a colonist, would you have been a loyalist or a rebel? Write a letter to a fellow
colonist convincing him or her to remain loyal. Or, write a letter telling a friend why you decided to be
a rebel. Give a specific date and discuss actual events. This letter must be at least 5 sentences.
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After years of hard fighting, America won its freedom. You will see the first years were rocky. We
will be looking at this "baby" nation growing-up into a powerful force in world history.
Land in the New Nation
After the Revolution, Americans wanted to move west of the Appalachians. The government
created laws that outlined the process of selling land and then those lands becoming states of the
Union. Land ownership was important in the early days of our nation’s history as it was a requirement
for voting.
The Land Ordinance of 1785 arranged a process of surveying and selling lands in the
Northwest Territory, near the Great Lakes.
The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 outlined the process for admitting a new state to the Union
and guaranteed that newly created states would be equal to the original thirteen states.
From Articles to Constitution: a New Nation is Born
Even before the Revolution was over, the founding fathers drafted the Articles of
Confederation, the first constitution of the United States. But the document was weak. In this style of
government, states have more power than the national government.
Accomplishments of the Articles:
The U.S. government under the Articles signed the Treaty of Paris, 1783. It also enacted the
Land Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance, the shining accomplishments of the
Articles. In truth, the Articles created such a weak central government that the fear was it would not
survive. No power to tax, no power to regulate trade, no executive branch and no judicial branch are
just a few of the shortcomings under the Articles. In 1786, a group of farmers violently protested
against a high state tax in Massachusetts. Shay’s Rebellion proved just how weak the government was
under the Articles because the national government could not assist Massachusetts in quelling the
rebellion. Something had to change!
In 1787, leaders met in Philly to change the Articles. It was quickly realized that a new
constitution was needed. Many agreed that a stronger central government was needed. The
Constitutional Convention addressed the needs of the nation through developing this new document.
Immediately the three branches of government idea was proposed and accepted. The problems to be
worked out dealt with the guidelines of each branch. None created as much controversy as the idea of
representation in the legislative branch. The following are brief descriptions of the compromises that
were discussed and debated:
Virginia Plan: called for the three branches of government; legislative, executive, and judicial.
The legislative branch would be bi-cameral with representation based on population.
New Jersey Plan: called for three branches of government as well, but the legislative branch
would have a unicameral congress with each state having just one vote.
The Great Compromise (the one that became the basis for Congress) aka The Connecticut
Compromise, called for three branches, but the legislative branch would be bicameral, the
House membership would be based on population of a state and the Senate would elect two
senators from each state, regardless of population.
3/5ths Compromise: Slave holding states wanted their slaves to be counted as part of the
population in regards to representation in Congress. Northern leaders opposed that idea. In the
3/5ths Compromise, for every 5 slaves, three would be counted for representation purposes.
The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise: Slave trade would stop in twenty years.
Another raging debate was how to elect the President. In 1787, it was simply impractical to
have every citizen vote for the national office. The Electoral College elects the president every four
years.
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The Constitution and Ratification
Just because the Founding
Fathers created a new constitution
didn’t mean that it’s going to be
ratified! Once the document was
written, states had to ratify it and
that’s where it gets tricky!
The creation of the
Constitution entailed hours of
debate and compromise, and even
when it was completed, some
delegates were unhappy with it. . .
Basically, people divided into two
groups, the Federalists and the
Anti-Federalists. Each of their
viewpoints is worth examining, as
they both have sound reasoning.
The Anti-Federalists did not want to ratify the Constitution. They argued that it gave too much
power to the national government at the expense of the state governments. There was no bill of rights.
Congress, because of the `necessary and proper clause,' would have too much power.
Of these complaints, the lack of a bill of rights was the most effective. The American people
had just fought a war to defend their rights, and they did not want a national government taking those
rights away again. The lack of a bill of rights was the focus of the Anti-Federalist campaign against
ratification. Anti-Federalists were led by Thomas Jefferson.
The Federalists, on the other hand, had answers to all of the Anti-Federalist complaints. They
wrote a series of newspaper articles, The Federalist Papers, promoting ratification. They argued that
the separation of powers into three independent branches protected the rights of the people. Each
branch represents a different aspect of the people, and because all three branches are equal, no one
group can assume control over another. Federalists were led by Alexander Hamilton.
Overall, the Federalists were more organized in their efforts. By June of 1788, the Constitution
was close to ratification. Nine states had ratified it, and only one more (New Hampshire) was needed.
To achieve this, the Federalists agreed that once Congress met, it would draft a bill of rights. Finally,
New York and Virginia approved, and the Constitution was a reality. The Bill of Rights was not
originally a part of the Constitution, but has proven to be important in protecting the rights of the
people.
BOTTOM-LINE!
Federalists believed in a strong central government and a loose interpretation of the
Constitution: if something isn’t listed in the document, it CAN be done! Federalists were pro-tariff,
pro-merchant, wanted a national bank and came mainly from New England.
Anti-Federalists believed in states rights and a strict interpretation of the Constitution: if
something isn’t listed in the document, it CAN’T be done! Anti-Federalists were pro-farmer, antitariff, hated the national bank and came from the West and the South.
Jefferson and Hamilton’s Fighting = the _____________- ______________ System.
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The Bill of Rights
Directions: fill-in the chart using information from the text, internet, and the U.S. Constitution
Amendment
Description of Amendment
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
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