Unit 2

Chapter 2: Origins of American GovernmentChapter 3: The Constitution

Chapter 4: Federalism

Chapter 2: Origins of American Government

Section 2: The Coming of Independence

Objectives:

Chapter 2: Origins of American Government

Section 2: The Coming of Independence

Vocabulary:

confederationAlbany Plan of the Uniondelegateboycottrepealpopular sovereignty

Section 2: The Coming of Independence.

British Colonial Policies before 1760•The 13 colonies were ruled separately under the king, generally this rule was exercised by the Privy Council and the Board of Trade in London.•With three thousand miles separating the colonies and Great Britain the colonies experienced a high level of self-rule. •A federal system of government emerged as colonies operated largely independently, while the central government maintained the military, handled foreign affairs, credit, trade market and common currency.•1760 George III becomes king.

Section 2: The Coming of Independence.

British Colonial Policies after 1760•Crown began to deal more firmly with colonies.•Restrictive trading acts expanded and enforced.•New taxes imposed on the colonies.•King’s ministers were poorly informed of colonial resentment and pushed forward with unpopular policies.

Growing Colonial UnityNew England Confederation (1643-1684)•Made up of the Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, New Haven and Connecticut settlements.•Existed primarily to address the common need for defense against Native Americans.The Albany Plan of Union•1754, during a meeting held by Crown officials, Benjamin Franklin proposed an annual congress of delegates from all colonies meet.•The body would have the power to raise military forces, make war and peace with Native Americans, regulate trade with tribes, tax, collect customs duties.•Agreed to by those at meeting, rejected by colonies and crown.

Growing Colonial UnityStamp Act (1765)•Law requires the use of tax stamps on all legal documents, business agreements and newspapers.•Widely denounced by colonists.•Oct, 1765 delegates from nine states meet in New York. The first strong protests against the Crown is official made.•Marked the first time a large number of colonies united to oppose the British government.•Parliament repealed the stamp act in response.

Growing Colonial Unity• Following the Stamp act other

laws and policies were created to tie the colonies more closely with London.

• Mob violence and boycotts erupted over these moves.

• 1770, British troops fire on protesters, killing five, becomes known as Boston Massacre.

• 1773, Boston Tea Party takes place in protest of British control of the tea trade.

The First Continental Congress• Sept 5, 1774, Delegates meet from

every colony except Georgia.• Delegates discussed situation and

possible actoins.• Boycotts of British goods were to

be carried out until taxes and trade regulations were repealed.

• Formal protest sent to King George III over situation.

• Ends two months after beginning with a place to hold a second congress.

• All colonies, including Georiga, approve of the actions.

The Second Continental Congress• British government reacted

to colonial demands with even stricter, more repressive measures.

• May 10, 1775, the Congress meets in Philadelphia.

• By this time the Revolution had already begun with the battles of Lexington and Concord three weeks earlier (Apr 19)

The Second Continental Congress• Each of the 13 colonies

sent representatives to the Congress.

• John Hancock chosen a president of the Congress.

• The Congress quickly organizes the raising of an army and appoints George Washington to lead it.

The Second Continental Congress

• The Congress became the first government, mainly out of necessity.

• No constitution yet existed of any kind.• The Congress was deemed illegal by the

British government and all who attended were labeled traitors.

• Acted as the government from 1776 to 1781 when the Articles of Confederation were signed.

Declaration of Independence• Congress names a committee of

five to prepare a formal proclamation of Independence.

• Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Rodger Sherman, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson (document ended up largely his work).

• On July 4th delegates adopt the document and formally separate from England and create a new nation after fierce debate.

First State Constitutions• Between 1776-1777 most states adopted new,

written, constitutions to replace their charters.• The Massachusetts Constitution (1780) is still in

effect, making it the oldest written constitution in the world.

Common Features:• Popular Sovereignty• Limited Government• Civil Rights and Liberties• Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.