The Constitution Dbq

The constitution was a document that embodies the fundamental laws and principles by which the U.S is governed. The constitution states basic rights for its citizens. Delegates signed the constitution on September 17, 1787. There is a total of 27 constitutional amendments. The reasoning for writing it was for a stronger federal government - legislative, executive and judicial. The constitution was a break with a past of ‘unfair’ taxes, wars and ‘unfair’ treatment.

According to document 1, the stamp act was being destroyed would restore America's liberty. The stamp act was the first direct tax in colonial history, and was created to help pay for the British troops stationed in the colonies. The taxing made colonists angry because now

they were taxed for putting stamps on any document they had. Colonists also hated the stamp act because it was ‘taxation without representation’. Colonists weren’t allowed to choose leaders of parliament in London, which caused these laws to be passed. The British didn’t have enough money to help their people with from the other occurring wars. The Sons of Liberty dumped the tea in protest of the tea tax. After all of the protests, liberty was actually restored (by the constitution) which gave angry colonists a huge break from taxation. In document 2 it states the “resolution of the stamp act”. Virginia was subject to taxation only by a parliamentary assembly by which virginians elected. (Virginia assembly can only raise taxes) (Doc 2). The raised taxes made colonists beel as though they weren’t granted the freedom they had before the ‘unfair’ taxes problem (footnote 5).

Document 3 states that colonists should have the right to leave an intolerable society if they are getting oppressed in any way (Doc 3).

It also states that if a colonists enters a society and don’t think it's being held down nicely conditioned that they should have a say on their opinion ( with limitations to it). Sam Adams basically thinks men should have freedom of speech. ( doc 3). Quakers are members of a historically Christian group of religious movements.They believe god exists in everyone. Quaker leadership (doc 4) was made in order to keep protests nonviolent. In 1775, quaker leaders addressed the colonist’s rights of expressing their views. Before the Constitution the national government was weak and operated like independent countries. Back then Tar and feathering was a public humiliation used to enforce unofficial justice or revenge against people who believed different things. She states that if you were to choose to stand up for your beliefs and risk all the consequences, than you are courageous, which is what they lacked in their society (doc

5).

Charles Inglis is saying that the money from the exports will not support the war.

(doc 6). In the Articles of Confederation the congress wasn’t allowed the power to tax. Congress couldn’t tax people for their own benefits and couldn’t tax exports. The exports helped pay merchants and manufacturers but still left them in debt. In the 16th amendment it states that “ the congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises to pay the debts and provide for the common defence and general warfare of the U.S.” Thomas Paine thinks that taxes should be levied enough to where everyone can pay it. He also states that “heaven knows how to put prices upon goods.” *(doc 7) Thomas Paine wanted to advocate independence from Britain to people in the thirteen colonies, one of those things h is advocating in this excerpt is taxes. ( doc 7).

Overall my thesis statement demonstrates a cause and effect in American history because the constitution had may causes relating to taxes. The british government taxed the American Colonists unfairly, and the government, under the articles of confederation could not collect taxes to raise money. An effect of the constitution is that the new constitution split the legislature so states had the equal power based on population in the other. Today we use direct taxes among the states by population. We are encompassed for all taxes except for custom duties. The congress uses direct

taxes.