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Da VIP Academy / GED / Social Studies / U.S. History

Founding Era

Explain the causes of the Revolution and the shift from the Articles to the Constitution.

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How it works

Roots of revolution

Taxation without representation, quartering of troops, and restricted colonial self-government pushed the colonies toward independence, declared in 1776.

Why the Articles failed

The Articles of Confederation gave Congress no power to tax or regulate trade and no executive, so the Constitution (1787) created a stronger federal structure with three branches.

Worked examples

  1. Why replace the Articles of Confederation?

    1. No taxing power meant unpaid debts.
    2. No trade regulation caused state conflicts.
    3. A stronger national government was written in 1787.

Words to know

Articles of Confederation
The first U.S. governing document, replaced in 1789.

Test-day tips

  • • Almost every founding-era question turns on the balance between liberty and effective government.
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