U.S. History: Declaration, Constitution, and Revolutionary War Key Concepts

Declaration of Independence

Written in 1776 (main author: Thomas Jefferson); Declared separation from Britain; Listed grievances against King George III; Introduced natural rights: life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.

Revolutionary War

Colonists' Disadvantages: Smaller, poorly trained army; Little money & supplies; No real navy; Many colonists were loyalists or neutral. Colonists' Advantages: Fighting on home turf; Strong leadership (George Washington); High motivation; French support. Why They Won: Help from France; British were far from home; Cost of war too high for Britain; Guerrilla tactics & persistence.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

Officially ended the war; Britain recognized U.S. independence; U.S. borders set to the Mississippi River.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government; Gave most power to states; Weak national government (no tax power, no courts, no enforcement).

Shays' Rebellion (1786-87)

Farmers in Massachusetts protested debt & taxes; Showed the Articles were too weak; Led to calls to change the government.

The Constitution

Replaced the Articles of Confederation; Created stronger federal government; Based on federalism (power shared with states).

Federalism

Power divided between national government and states.

Virginia Plan

Favored large states; Representation based on population; Two-house legislature.

New Jersey Plan

Favored small states; Equal representation; One-house legislature.

Great Compromise

Combined both plans; House of Representatives → population-based; Senate → equal representation (2 per state).

3/5 Compromise

Enslaved people count as 3/5 of a person for population and taxes; Helped Southern states gain representation.

Three Branches of Government

Legislative: makes laws (Congress); Executive: enforces laws (President); Judicial: interprets laws (Courts); Checks and balances prevent any branch from being too powerful.

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments; Guarantees individual rights (speech, religion, trial, etc.); Added to get Anti-Federalists to support Constitution.

Ratification Debate

Federalists: Supported Constitution; Wanted strong federal government. Anti-Federalists: Feared strong central power; Demanded Bill of Rights.

Strengths of the Articles of Confederation

Won the war; Made Treaty of Paris; Northwest Ordinance.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

No power to tax; No courts or president; Couldn't enforce laws; States fought among themselves.

Critical Period

Problems after the war: Economic depression; State conflicts; No strong leadership; Rebellions (like Shays').

Reasons for Constitution Creation

Articles failed; Shays' Rebellion scared leaders; Needed stronger national power.

Challenges in Constitution Creation

Big vs. small states; North vs. South (slavery); State power vs. federal power.

Compromises in Constitution Creation

Great Compromise; 3/5 Compromise; Slave trade compromise; Bill of Rights.