Transcript Chapter 6.4 American Revolution The effects of the Enlightenment in
Chapter 8.1 Forming a Union
June 12, 1776 ◦ A Committee in Second Continental Congress agreed to create a national government if America does declare independence from England.
July 4, 1776
Congress issued the Declaration of Independence ◦ Written by Thomas Jefferson ◦ Now it’s time for the new government to take place.
Why? ◦ So when the war is over we can start our own country.
Americans Create a Republic
When the war ends… ◦ All 13 states ratify a constitution known as the Articles of Confederation Ratify ◦ Give official approval Established the US as a republic ◦ Citizens rule through elected representatives
A.O.C. Creates a Weak National Government
Articles of Confederation has one branch of government ◦ Called Congress It’s job? Make the laws for our country!
◦ How does it function? Each state shared power by having 1 representative ◦ 7 of 13 state representatives had to agree to make a law. ◦ No President or judicial branches
Early Problems in the Republic
Congress could not: Congress could: ◦ Collect taxes ◦ Borrow money from other nations ◦ Keep states from printing their own money ◦ Declare war ◦ Enter treaties ◦ Pass laws without majority of 13 states agreeing ◦ Pass laws with a majority
One thing the A.O.C. got right…
They passed the
Land Ordinance of 1785
◦ Set up a system for dividing up the territory west of the 13 original states.
This created the opportunity to make new states in the future.
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
By 1787 enough people had moved into Ohio Valley that laws had to be made to govern them. Called Northwest Ordinance of 1787
How did the NW Ordinance work?
Created the Northwest Territory ◦ Would eventually become states Illinois Indiana Michigan Ohio Wisconsin Set rules for these states to be created. ◦ Population had to be 60,000 or more ◦ Had to set a local republic form of government Led by a Governor ◦ Could not have slavery!!!
Northwest Territory
What is the Articles of Confederation? What is the Northwest Ordinance of 1787?
What states are included in the Northwest Territory?