Declaration Basics
In what year did the colonies declare independence?
1776
What group met in Philadelphia in 1776 to write the Declaration?
Continental Congress
Basic rights to which all people are entitled.
Human rights
What year did the Articles of Confederation take effect?
1781
The Articles created tensions between which two levels of government?
State and national governments
Who wrote most of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
In what year did the American Revolution begin?
1775
A loose association of states.
Confederation
After independence, the colonies became what kind of government system?
Confederation/Democracy
: States acted like small, separate ____.
Nations
What did the colonist believe about the source of gov't power?
Power comes from the people
What date was the Declaration of Independence approved?
July 4, 1776
Absolute power.
Sovereignty
Who had more power under the Articles—states or national government?
States
What could the national government NOT do under the Articles?
Enforce or interpret laws
What happens if a government ignores what the people want?
People have the right to change the government
What was the goal of the Continental Congress in 1776?
To write a Declaration of Independence
The lawmaking body under the Articles of Confederation
Congress
Why did the writers want limited national government power?
They feared a strong government like Britain's
What was the main weakness of the Articles?
relationship between state and national governments
What does the Declaration say government should protect?
Human rights
What document is considered one of the greatest in American history?
Declaration of Independence
A union of states where most power remains with the states.
Confederation
What year did Congress call for a meeting to change the Articles?
1787
Why did tensions grow between states and the national government?
because states disobeyed national laws