The Declaration of Independence

(the "DOI")

The Declaration of Independence

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

The Declaration of Independence

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

• Thomas Jefferson wrote in 17 days

The Anatomy of the Declaration of Independence

(Break it down)

What’s in the Declaration? Part 1/3

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

DOI Preamble

“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.” 

What's in the Declaration? Part 2/3

Reasons (grievances) for separating from Britain

DOI Grievances

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.

What's in the Declaration? Part 3/3

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

The Articles of Confederation

(America's 1st Government)

Let's see how much we know​

Answer each of the following questions using your own knowledge​

After the Revolution

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

After the Revolution

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

The Americans were trying to avoid a monarch (king or queen), like the British had.

The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation

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

A Nation in Need

(How the Articles payed their debts)

Land Ordinance of 1785

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

Land Ordinance of 1785

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

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

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

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

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.

RIP: The Articles of Confederation

The Articles lasted from 1781-1787 (6 years)

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

The End