2. They are the most prominent statesmen of the American
Revolution
Membership into this select group requires conspicuous
contributions at one or both of the founding events of the United
States (example: American Revolution, etc.).
Most of the founding fathers have achieved a mythical status
Most scholarly work seem to focus on their failures than their
great deeds during the Revolution.
FOUNDING FATHERS
3. THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
1765 Britain imposes the Stamp Act,
which required that certain printed
materials have a stamp
1773 Boston Tea Party takes place,
where the Sons of Liberty throw tea
overboard into Boston Harbor
1775 first fighting erupted at
Lexington and Concord
George Washington was the General
of the Continental Army
1781 Britain surrenders at Yorktown
1783 the Treaty of Paris is signed
recognizing the Independence of the
American colonies
4. Signed on July 4, 1776 by 2nd
Continental Congress
Written by Thomas Jefferson
inspired by the political
philosophies of John Locke
The Preamble to the Declaration
became founding principals of
America: Life, Liberty, and the
Purist of Happiness
Ultimately stated the colonists
grievances about the British
treatment of the colonist
Once it was approved and signed
it became a symbol of unity for
the new nation
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
5. THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
Adopted in 1781 as the first form of government
Articles provided a limited central government
and strong state government
Confederation Congress could not tax, enforce
laws, no authority over citizens, could not
regulate money
All 13 Colonies had to agree to make changes to
the Articles
Result in 1787 the Constitutional Convention
met to form a new way of government
6. THE CONSTITUTION
Convention included prominent thinkers George
Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton,
and James Madison
Divided the government into three parts: Executive,
Legislative, and Judicial Branches.
Divided power amongst the federal government and
state.
national government has the power to levy taxes, raise
an army, regulate trade, and create a national currency
Broke Legislative branch into two different sections:
Senate and House of Representatives
Any power not regulated by the federal government
goes to the state
7. THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Are the first ten amendments to the constitution
Ratified on December 15, 1791
Outlines the limits and powers of the federal and state
governments
Protects the rights of individual citizens
Inspired by other famous documents like the Magna Carta (1215)
and English Bill of Rights (1689)
8. THE BILL OF RIGHTS
1. Freedom of Religion, Press, and Petition
2. Right to bear arms
3. No quartering (housing) of troops
4. No unreasonable search of seizure
5. Right not to testify against yourself at trial (I Pled the
Fifth)
6. Right to a speedy trial
7. Trial by jury
8. No cruel and unusual punishment
9. No rights stated in the Constitution shall be taken
away
10.Rights of the State under the Constitution
9. Union Resources: more people, raw
materials, more money, railroads,
fighting for ideological reasons
Confederacy’s Resources: geographic
advantages, had a more military
tradition, thought Europeans would aid
their cause, fought for ideological
reasons
Civil War began at Fort Sumter on
April 12, 1861
The turning point of the war for the
Union came at the victories of
Vicksburg and Gettysburg in 1863
June 1865 South surrendered at
Appomattox
AMERICAN CIVIL WAR (1861-1865)
