Americas Path from Monarchy to Democracy

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Americas Path from Monarchy to Democracy
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Path from Monarchy to Democracy

• Whats wrong with a Monarchy?
• Lacked consent of the governed
• England Limited Colonist Freedoms
• Limited Settlement to the west
• Proclamation of 1763.
• Taxation without Representation
• Stamp Act Taxes forced on colonist. Money goes
  back to England.

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Colonist Respond by Organizing

• Stamp Act Congress
• Some of the Colonies sent representatives to
  start organizing about what to do with the
  England.
• Goal is to work with the King.
• First such gathering in American History.

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The Monarchs Response

• Quartering Act
• Forces colonist to shelter British troops.
• Writs of Assistance
• Troops could search and seize property.
• Transported to England for trial.
• Tea and Intolerable Acts
• Limited ability to form local governments
• Showed the Monarchs power to Tax.

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1st Continental Congress 1774

• Colonist organize again to decide best actions to
  take against Britain.
• Sent a Declaration of Rights to the King.
• The concept that all people have basic rights.
• Tried to unite Colonize to cut off trade with
  Britain.

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2nd Continental Congress 1775

• 1st time All 13 colonies send representatives to
  organize and discuss an action plan.
• Lacked any form of written constitution.
• Elected a President John Hancock.

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Declaration of Independence

• July 4th 1776, Written by Thomas Jefferson
• Declared our Independence from Britain.
• All men are created equal.
• States that we would be a Democracy.
• That we are willing to go to war.

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The New Government

• Articles of Confederation 1778
• Americas 1st written constitution.
• A confederation of the states.
• Federal Government had almost no power over the
  states.
• Designed to unite the colonies for war.
• No President or Executive. Why Not?

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The Constitution

• Sept 17, 1787
• Created the 3 Branch system we have today.