The Birth of a Democratic Nation

The United States of America

Life in the Colonies Colonists felt loyal to British because it was

their parent country Colonists felt separated from Great Britain

because they had operated by themselves for many years

Colonists believed they could govern themselves because they had since the beginning of the colonies

British Events Mercantilism

Theory that a country should sell more than it buys

British used to squeeze wealth out of colonies British Parliament wanted colonists to:

Sell cheap raw materials to GB Buy expensive British finished goods (made from

raw materials

British Events, continued French & Indian War

French & British fight for territory west of colonies Both sides ally with Indians British send troops to protect colonies Costs lots of money!

Results in Colonies

Colonists are bitter toward GB

British Events Stamp Act/Quartering Act (1765)

To pay for the debt from French & Indian War, GB’s Parliament passes

Quartering Act: law that says colonists must house British troops

Stamp Act: law that requires a stamp to be bought and placed on all newspapers & legal documents

Results in Colonies

American colonists begin to boycott, or refuse to buy, goods that are taxed

“Sons of Liberty” formed Underground organization opposed to GB’s

taxes Used violence & intimidation to force British

collecting agents to resign & stop American loyalists from buying British goods

British Events Declaratory Act (1766)/Townshend

Acts(1767) After boycotts by the colonists, Parliament

repeals Stamp Act Parliament passes

Declaratory Act: Parliament has the right to make decisions for colonies in “all cases”

Townshend Acts: taxes on basic goods such as tea, glass, paper, lead & paints

Results in Colonies

Americans colonists continue to boycott goods taxed

British Events Boston Massacre (1770)

Mob harasses British soldiers stationed in Boston

Shots are fired British kill 3, mortally wound 2 & injure 6 colonists

Results in Colonies

Colonists continue to become more angry with Great Britain

British Events Tea Act (1773)

Allowed British East India Company to ship tea to colonies without paying taxes, which enabled them to bypass colonial merchants & sell directly to shopkeepers

Results in Colonies

Boston Tea Party (1773) Colonists blocked all East India Company trading

ships from Boston harbor Colonists dress up as Indians & dump 342

chests of tea into Boston harbor to protest Tea Act

British Events Coercive Acts(1774)

Known as “Intolerable Acts” in colonies Restricted colonists’ rights, such as trial by jury Allowed British soldiers to search and even move

into colonists’ homes (old Quartering Act had expired)

Results in Colonies

First Continental Congress(1774) Colonists want reconciliation (make peace with

GB), not independence Sent document to King George III demanding he

restore their rights

British Events Lexington/Concord (1775)

“shot heard ‘round the world” GB sends troops to take supplies from American

militia First battles of the Revolutionary War

Results in Colonies

Second Continental Congress(1775) Colonists are still trying to decide between

reconciliation & independence Many believe a war with GB cannot be won After Thomas Paine writes “Common Sense,”

half the delegates agree that independence is the only way

“We have it in our power to begin the world anew…” Thomas Paine

The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson Turn to pages 44 – 47 in your textbook.

We – the colonists

Truths – universal; not public opinion – and – absolute; not an opinion

Self-evident – describes truth; reasonable people can figure this out

The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson Created equal – all equal in some sense

Unalienable rights – not reality, but potential of country

Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness – building on traditional political thought

From John Locke – government to secure these unalienable rights

The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson Just Powers – legitimate powers

Consent of the Governed – us

Any Form – even democracy

Ends – life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

The Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson Right of the People – justifying killing people,

killing the government

Institute new government – that will protect these rights

How do you abolish? Takes force, violence. Country was forged in blood-shed.

Creating a Government By 1780 all of the 13 original states had

created constitutions Most have BICAMERAL legislature (two

houses) Massachusetts Constitution

Oldest functioning constitution in the world Used as a model for the US Constitution

The “First Constitution”

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA

Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Limited power of Central Government Required 9/13 states to pass laws Could not enforce laws because states held more

power Could not pay off war debt without power of

taxation

Why did the colonists create such a limiting document?