Results for "Second Continental Congress"

The Second Continental Congress and Common Sense

### EVENTS LEADING TO THE WRITING OF THE CONSTITUTION - **Struggle Between the Colonies and Britain**: Tensions arose as Britain imposed heavy taxes and restrictive laws, while the colonists felt increasingly marginalized. - **Relationship between Colonists and King/British Government**: The relationship soured over issues like taxation, representation, and control, especially after the French and Indian War. - **Actions by King/British Government Towards Colonists**: Imposed taxes (e.g., Stamp Act, Tea Act), the Intolerable Acts, and quartering British troops. - **Actions by Colonists Towards King/British Government**: Protested through boycotts, organized the Boston Tea Party, and formed militias. - **King George III**: The monarch of Britain during the American Revolution, seen as a tyrant by the colonists. - **Taxation without Representation**: A rallying cry for the colonists, arguing that they shouldn't be taxed by a government in which they had no political representation. - **First Continental Congress**: A 1774 meeting where delegates from 12 colonies met to respond to British policies, leading to boycotts and military preparations. - **Declaration of Independence**: Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, it declared the colonies’ separation from Britain. It was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. - **Common Sense by Thomas Paine**: A 1776 pamphlet that argued for independence from Britain, greatly influencing public opinion. - **Second Continental Congress**: Met in 1775 to manage the war effort and eventually declare independence. - **US Constitution**: The framework for the U.S. government, establishing three branches and the system of federalism. - **Bill of Rights**: The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, protecting individual freedoms. - **Articles of Confederation**: The first constitution of the U.S., which created a weak central government. - **How Constitution is Different from Articles**: The Constitution established a stronger federal government, with executive, legislative, and judicial branches. - **Constitutional Convention**: Held in 1787 to draft the Constitution. --- ### STRUCTURE OF THE CONSTITUTION - **Preamble to the Constitution**: The introduction that outlines the purpose of the Constitution. - **Seven Articles of the Constitution**: 1. **Legislative Branch**: Establishes Congress, its powers, and the legislative process. 2. **Executive Branch**: Defines the presidency, powers, duties, and impeachment. 3. **Judicial Branch**: Establishes the Supreme Court and lower courts, and their powers. 4. **States' Relations**: Addresses the rights and powers of states and their interaction with the federal government. 5. **Amendment Process**: Explains how the Constitution can be amended. 6. **Supremacy Clause**: Declares the Constitution the "supreme law of the land." 7. **Ratification**: Details the process for ratifying the Constitution. - **27 Amendments**: The changes and additions made to the Constitution over time, including the Bill of Rights. --- ### SIX BASIC PRINCIPLES - **Limited Government**: The government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it. - **Rule of Law**: Everyone, including government officials, must follow the law. - **Federalism**: The division of power between the national and state governments. - **Supremacy Clause**: The Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws. - **Popular Sovereignty**: The people are the ultimate source of governmental authority. - **Separation of Powers**: The division of government into three branches—executive, legislative, and judicial. - **Judicial Review**: The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional (established in *Marbury v. Madison*). - **Checks and Balances**: Each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches. --- ### FORMALLY AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION - **Proposing Amendments**: Can be done by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or a national convention. - **Ratifying Amendments**: Requires approval by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions. --- ### INFORMALLY AMENDING THE CONSTITUTION - **Laws Passed by Congress**: Congress can pass laws that shape the way the Constitution is applied. - **Actions by the President**: Executive actions and orders can effectively amend how the government functions. - **Decisions of the Supreme Court**: Court rulings interpret the Constitution and can lead to significant changes in law. - **Influence of Political Parties**: Parties affect how the Constitution is applied, even though they aren’t mentioned in the Constitution. - **Customs/Traditions**: Long-standing practices (e.g., the President serving only two terms before the 22nd Amendment) can informally amend the Constitution. ---

CST: The First and Second Continental Congress

Period 3: 1754–1800: The Crisis of Empire, Revolution, and Nation Building

Chapter 10: American Revolution and the New Nation (1775–1787)