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)