The American Founding Core Documents: Establishing a New Nation

The American founding core documents are a set of foundational documents that established the United States of America as an independent nation.

The American Founding: Core Documents

by Gordon Lloyd

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1090 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	273 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

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These documents include the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States.

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, declared the thirteen American colonies' independence from Great Britain.

The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, established a loose confederation of the thirteen states.

The Constitution of the United States, adopted in 1788, established a strong central government and a system of checks and balances.

These documents played a critical role in shaping the American republic and continue to influence the nation's government and society today.

The Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is a statement of the thirteen American colonies' reasons for declaring their independence from Great Britain. It was written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.

The Declaration of Independence is a powerful document that expresses the ideals of human freedom and equality. It begins with the famous words, "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." These words reflect the Enlightenment ideals that inspired the American Revolution.

The Declaration of Independence also sets forth a list of grievances against the British government, including the following: "He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good." "He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them." "He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people." These grievances demonstrate the colonists' dissatisfaction with British rule and their determination to establish their own independent government.

The Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States. They were adopted by the Continental Congress on March 1, 1781, and ratified by the states between 1778 and 1781.

The Articles of Confederation established a loose confederation of the thirteen states. Each state retained its sovereignty, and the central government was weak. The Articles of Confederation did not grant the central government the power to tax, regulate commerce, or maintain a standing army.

The Articles of Confederation were ineffective in governing the new nation. The central government was too weak to address the nation's problems, and the states often acted independently. This led to economic instability, foreign policy problems, and internal conflicts.

The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land. It was adopted by the Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, and ratified by the states between 1788 and 1790.

The Constitution of the United States established a strong central government with a system of checks and balances. The Constitution divides the powers of government into three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has its own powers and responsibilities, and no one branch can become too powerful.

The Constitution of the United States also protects the rights of individuals. The Bill of Rights, which consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution, guarantees freedom of speech, religion, and the press. It also protects the right to bear arms, the right to a fair trial, and the right to due process of law.

The Constitution of the United States is a remarkable document that has served as a model for constitutions around the world. It has helped to create a more just and equitable society and has ensured the survival and prosperity of the American republic.

The American founding core documents are a set of foundational documents that established the United States of America as an independent nation. These documents include the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution of the United States.

The Declaration of Independence, adopted on July 4, 1776, declared the thirteen American colonies' independence from Great Britain. The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, established a loose confederation of the thirteen states. The Constitution of the United States, adopted in 1788, established a strong central government and a system of checks and balances.

These documents played a critical role in shaping the American republic and continue to influence the nation's government and society today.

The American Founding: Core Documents

by Gordon Lloyd

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1090 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	273 pages
X-Ray for textbooks	:	Enabled

FREE