The Articles and the DOI Review

(the "DOI")

• At the Second Continental Congress a group was chosen to draft a document called the Declaration of Independence

• On July 4, 1776 (Independence Day) Congress adopted

• Thomas Jefferson wrote in 17 days

(Break it down)

preamble - The introduction to the DOI (Declaration of Independence)

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.” 

Reasons (grievances) for separating from Britain

Top 5 Grievances:

#4 Imposed taxes without consent.

Top 5 Grievances from the Declaration of Independence.

#2 For cutting off our trade.

#5 Kept Standing Armies Among Us.

#1 Not allowing a fair trial.

Declared colonies to be free and independent states. (the actual "declaration" of independence)

(America's 1st Government)

Answer each of the following questions using your own knowledge​

After having had won their Revolution, the Americans had need of a new form of government. 

Each colony was now considered a state in the United States of America, but they were not so united.

The government had very limited powers over the actual governing of the people 

(How the Articles payed their debts)

To raise money they began selling off land in the Northwest Territory to pay off debts.

They passed the Land Ordinance of 1785 to legally do so.

Made the Northwest Territory official and split it up into smaller territories.

If a territory’s population hit 60,000+, its settlers could draft their own constitution and ask to join the Union.

Slavery was banned in the Northwest Territory.

The Articles lasted from 1781-1787 (6 years)

They were an underwhelming form of government, though an important starting point for American government.