Government & The Constitution Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776 1.Written by Thomas Jefferson 2.

A statement adopted by the Continental Congress that announced the independence of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain. 3.It justified independence by listing colonial grievances against King George III. 4.We were already at war with the British. 5.It set in motion the birth of the United States of America. It was considered treason by the British Declaration of Indepedence "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. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness." Articles of Confederation (1781-1789) - Our First Constitution 6.Under the Articles there was only a unicameral legislature so that there was no seperation of powers. 7.The federal government under the Articles was too weak since the majority of the power rested with the states. 8.Congress, under the Articles, did not have the power to tax which meant that they could never put their finances in order. 9.In order to change or amend the Articles, unanimous approval of the states was required, which essentially meant that changes to the Articles were impossible. 10.For any major laws to pass they had to be approved by 9 of the 13 states

which proved difficult to do so that even the normal business of running a government was difficult. 11.Under the Articles, Congress did not have the power to regulate commerce which will cause competition between states as well as diplomatic issues. Federalism Power that is divided among Federal, State and Local governments.