Beginning: America

claims
independence from
Britain in 1776
through the
Declaration of
Independence

 Articles of Confederation

1777

The Articles were the first written constitution of the U.S. Its goa was to have a united national
government. However, it failed because each state retained their own kind of sovereignty, freedom, and
independence. Major decisions were not unanimous, as only 9 of the 13 states need to approve a law for
it to pass. There were no financial resources for Congress, and every state had to agree with Constitution
Amendments making amending basically impossible.

Northwest Ordinances

17841787

The Northwest Ordinances consisted of three laws that involved the sale of land and admittance of
states into the nation. It set a precedent in which the federal government could admit new states. The
Northwest region of land was split by Congress between governed districts. The government surveyed
the land then sold it in appropriate sections.

Annapolis Convention

1786

Delegates from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia gathered to discuss about
better ways of regulating interstate and international commerce. They also talked about amending the
weak Articles of Confederation, inspiring the way to the Constitutional Convention. Alexander Hamilton
created a proposal for the states to meet and amend the Articles, directly leading to the Constitutional
Convention.

 Shays Rebellion

17861787

Debt-ridden farmers rebelled because their land was seized as a result of them not paying taxes. While
this rebellion did not worry leaders (ex. Thomas Jefferson), it showed that the national government
needed strength to develop feasible economic policies. Property needed to protected by the
government.

Constitutional Convention

May
1787

Representatives from all states excluding Rhode Island and Philadelphia convened. The Convention
agreed on a bicameral legislature, Congress. With Congress, there would be a House of Representatives
and the Senate. The House of Representatives would have a representative proportionate the states
population and the Senate would have 2 senators no matter the population size.

Ratifying the Constitution

Sept
1787

The founding fathers signed the Constitution, with 9 out of 13 states approval. The Constitution became
the new framework for the American government. Congress held power over a multitude of subjects
such as tariffs, coining money, and interstate commerce. It created national political institutions, uniting
the states as one union.

End: The Bill of

Rights of 1791 were
added to the U.S.
Constitution,
amending it.

Through the 6 main, founding ideals listed in the graphic organizer below, American political leaders
created new constitutions that:
1. Articulated the role of the state & federal governments
2. Protected individual liberties
3. Limited centralized power
4. Limited excessive popular influence

Founding Ideal
Limited
Government
Republicanism

Explanation
The Constitution is the set law of the land and the government does not have
total control over the people.
The people vote for representatives to vote for laws and lead them.

Checks and
Balances

The 3 branches of government make sure that no one part of government has
dominance over the others.

Federalism

Not all the power goes to the central government states have governments
that work with the national government.

Separation of
Powers
Popular
Sovereignty

There are 3 branches of government which the power of the Constitution is

divided amongst. The judicial branch interprets the law, the legislative branch
makes the law, and the executive branch enforces the law.
The people are the driving force behind the Constitution and the U.S.
government so they have the most power overall.