Name ______________________________ Core _________ Date ________________________
Freedom: How We Got It
The British and the Americans saw these laws
very differently. To the British, Americans were paying
for the privilege of being part of the British Empire. The
British also felt that Americans should pay some of the
costs of the war against the French, since British troops
had defended the colonies. Many Americans, though,
in 1787, our Founding Fathers signed the U.S.
resented having to pay taxes that would more than likely
Constitution, a handbook for modern democracy—but
benefit the British government and few others. They did
the birth of the Constitution was not an easy one.
not feel that they should have to pay taxes unless they
Too Many Taxes
had a representative in British parliament—and they
Until the 1770s, Great Britain ruled over the
13 American colonies. Britain did not impose its rule on
colonists, so they got used to a certain amount of
didn't.
Moving Toward Independence
The two sides tried to make compromises that
freedom. That changed in 1763. Britain had just defeated
would give Americans more independence, but none of
France in a war over North American territory, and when
them satisfied American leaders. In fact, more people
it needed money to pay off debts from war expenses, it
joined the independence movement, and resistance to
turned to the colonies.
British rule continued to grow.
Over the course of several years, Britain
In 1775, Britain received word that radical
passed several laws that required Americans to pay high
patriots were meeting in Massachusetts. These patriots
taxes on just about everything. The Sugar Act, for
had formed a group and were stockpiling weapons. To
example, imposed taxes on sugar, while the Stamp Act
stop them, Britain sent troops to Massachusetts, and the
forced colonists to pay a tax on every piece of paper they
resulting skirmish between the two sides started the
used, from legal documents to newspapers.
Revolutionary War.
A New Government
Meanwhile, Americans began to take steps
Benjamin Franklin, attended. Noting the "celebrities"
arriving in Virginia for the convention, Thomas
toward creating a new government. In 1776, they formed
Jefferson, who had written the Declaration of
a Continental Congress—a lawmaking body made up of
Independence, said, "It really is an assembly of demi-
representatives from each colony. The Congress
gods."
appointed two committees. It asked one committee to
The framers of the new Constitution had to
draft a Declaration of Independence, and it asked the
decide which ideals the government should uphold.
other come up with a way to unify the colonies.
Many writers and philosophers of the day believed that
The second committee drafted the Articles of
the people, and not the rulers, should run a government.
Confederation. This document called for friendship
From this, the framers developed the idea that the people
among the colonies, but it didn't form much of a nation.
should elect their own lawmakers. Another belief stated
Instead, each state ruled itself, and the national
that a government should never be in the hands of one
government consisted of a single house of lawmakers
person or group. From this, the framers decided that the
with one representative from each state. There was no
nation would have three branches of government. The
president, since each state had a governor, and there was
executive branch would consist of the president, and the
no federal court.
judicial would consist of a national court (called the
This new government was full of problems
Supreme Court), which would protect the people's rights
from the start. When states began arguing over shared
by interpreting the Constitution. The legislative, or
waterways and rules of transportation between states,
lawmaking, branch would be made up of two houses, the
there was no leader to intervene. Since the national
Senate and the House of Representatives, and would
government couldn't even impose taxes, the nation had
represent all the states. By dividing the duties of the
no way of paying for the Revolution. Clearly, something
government, the Constitution ensured that no single
had to change.
person or body could become too powerful.
In 1787, the states called a Constitutional
On September 17, 1787, the framers signed
Convention to revise the Articles. Most of the nation's
the Constitution, and it was adopted as the central
prominent leaders, including George Washington and
document of American government in 1789.
Dictionary
framer (noun) any one of the delegates who drew up the Constitution of the United States
impose (verb) to force something on someone
intervene (verb) to get involved
parliament (noun) body of government that is responsible for making laws
skirmish (noun) a battle
Multiple Choice: Circle the letter of the choice the best completes the statement. (2 points each)
1. The Constitution keeps people . . .
A. Free
2. The author wrote this article because it will soon
be…
B. Sad
A. George Washington's birthday
C. Busy
B. Benjamin Franklin's birthday
D. Mad
C. Constitution Day
D. Independence Day
3. Which details could have been included in the last
B. Comprise
paragraph?
C. Contrast
A. What does the Constitution say about the rights
of women?
D. Compare
6. Which happened second chronologically?
B. What does the Constitution say about freedom
of speech?
A. The signing of the Constitution
B. The forming of a Continental Congress
C. Why did it take two years for the Constitution
to be adopted?
C. The writing of the Constitution
D. The calling of a Constitutional Convention
D. Who led the writing of the Constitution?
7. Which is the closest synonym for the word impose?
4. What did Thomas Jefferson mean when he said, "It
A. Encounter
really is an assembly of demi-gods" at the
B. Endanger
Constitutional Convention?
C. Compel
A. The more famous leaders did not attend the
convention.
8. Which of the following is an opinion?
B. America needed stronger leaders at the
convention.
A. The Constitution established that the nation
would have three branches of government.
C. Very prominent leaders attended the
convention.
B. Congress asked a committee of lawmakers to
come up with a way to unify the colonies.
D. The leaders earned a lot of respect at the
convention.
C. The Declaration of Independence turned out to
be one of the finest documents in history.
5. The closest synonym for the word consist is . . .
A. Comment
Opinion Question:
D. Consent
D. George Washington and Benjamin Franklin
attended the Constitutional Convention.
Now that you have read the article, indicate whether you agree or disagree with this
statement. Imagine that you are living in America in the 1700s when people are fighting for independence and
creating the Constitution. How would you have felt? (5 points)
Thought Question: Our Constitution outlines the structure of the American government. It also lists the
responsibilities of the different branches of the government. Write a constitution for your school. Which people or
groups should lead your school? What should they be responsible for doing? (5 points)