AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Chapter 2 Origins of American Government How did we get to where we are today? Why is the United States one of the greatest countries to live in?

Our political beginnings The colonists brought with them 3 major ideas. The first colony was Jamestown VA 1607 and Georgia was the last colony to granted a charter in 1732. Ordered government (let’s get along) Limited government (power is restricted) Representative government (G serves people)

Important documents 1215 Magna Carta-trial by jury, due process and limit on king’s power 1628 Petition of Right-right to jury trial, no martial law during peacetime, no quartering of troops, no taxes without permission 1689 English Bill of Rights-shifts power from king to Parliament Our Constitution nearly mirrors the ideas of these documents

The 13 English colonies were formed through 3 types of charters (written grant of authority from the king) Royal (ruled directly by the crown) Proprietary (organized/managed by owner) Charter (granted directly to colonists) They had bicameral or unicameral legislatures

1643 New England Confederation formed 1754 Albany Plan of Union proposed 1765 Stamp Act 1770 Boston Massacre 1773 Boston Tea Party

The coming of independence By 1760 the colonies had become very independent. In other words they were used to being left alone… Unfortunately for England and King George III in 1760 they were in financial trouble (due to war) and needed money…SOLUTION > tax the colonies…the colonies were upset and protested claiming “taxation without representation.”

Protests don’t work The American revolution begins April 19, 1775 On May 10, 1775 the colonies begin the Second Continental Congress > this is the first Government of the USA and produced the Declaration of Independence 13 States (formerly the 13 colonies) wrote constitutions proclaiming POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY

The Critical Period Second Continental Congress (May 1775) creates the Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation > weak document (loose union) > states argued > leads to Constitution

One branch of Government Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Make treaties Borrow money Set up monetary system Establish post offices

Build navy Raise money by asking states for troops Fix uniform standards of weights and measures Settle disputes among states

The life of the “old constitution” Second Continental Congress by default is our first national government (July 1776-March 1781) Articles of Confederation FORMALLY adopted on March 1, 1781 Replaced by our current CONSTITUTION on March 4, 1789

Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation Overall it tied the states together in a loose union (each state was largely independent) Government could only 1. set up military 2. make war and peace 3. settle state disputes Central government had little power => it could not make States obey the Articles or the laws passed by the legislature

Rebellion and Chaos makes us rethink… …how we are organized (page 45) => Constitutional Convention (meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation) May 25, 1787 Framers decided to create NEW government (page 50)

The Constitution Creating the Constitution Ratifying the Constitution

Creating the Constitution How are we going to do things so we can prosper? So we can get along? So G doesn’t have all the power?

Key Points Delegates decide to work in secrecy The Virginia Plan (protects large states) The New Jersey Plan (protects small states) => Both plans offer a new way to run our country

The Connecticut Compromise recommends that we “combine” the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan and create a Congress with TWO houses

The Three-Fifths Compromise Should slaves be counted in the population of the Southern States? This question was greatly debated. => All “free persons” should be counted and “Three-Fifths of all other persons”

The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Delegates agreed that Congress had to have the power to regulate foreign trade and interstate trade (page 52) Southerners protested and insisted on certain protections => 1. Congress could not tax the export of goods from any state 2. Could not act on slave trade for at least 20 years.

“No Compromise” of Basic Issues Delegates committed to the idea that the NEW GOVERNMENT needed to be powerful enough to deal with the nation’s huge social and economic problems.

Thus, even though the Constitution is called a “bundle of compromises” the delegates strongly believed in… Popular sovereignty Limited government Representative government Principle of separation of powers Principle of checks and balances

Ratifying the Constitution How do we get it approved? What are the states going to say when they see this new document? Does the Central Government have too much power? Today the Constitution of the United States of America is both admired and respected all over the world…

…but in 1787 and 1788 many opposed it and ratifying (formally approving) it was very tough => Fortunately the Framers saw that the UNANIMITY requirement did not work and changed to Constitution to only needing NINE states for approval. => copies are sent to all states on September 28, 1787

Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists Vigorous debate takes place and two groups emerge in each state => Federalists (in favor of approval) => Anti-Federalists (opposed to approval)

Federalists Side Stressed that the ARTICLES OF CONFERATION does not work A new country (the USA) can only succeed with the proposed CONSTITUTION

Anti-Federalists Side Didn’t like the process itself Objected to the absence of any mention of GOD Objected because states could no longer print money Of most concern: 1. increased power of central government 2. the lack of a bill of rights

Despite objections the Constitution is finally approved on July 26, 1788 (page 57) Our new government is inaugurated on September 13 1788

summary Colonies influenced by Magna Carta, Petition of Right, and English Bill of Rights as they are gradually established from 1607 to 1732. Independent colonists are “abrutly” told that they need to pay more taxes. Colonists protest harsh treatment and want taxes and other harsh policies to be repealed Revolutionary war April 19, 1775-October 19, 1781

Creating the Constitution

Chapter 3

http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/articles.html http://www.usconstitution.net/constamprop.html http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/20/us/politics/20states.html?_r=0 http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41647.pdf

The Constitution

1. Government by consent of the people 2. Government is not all powerful 3. Distribution of power (3 branches)

4. Each branch is held accountable by other branches 5. Court has the power to determine constitutionality of government actions 6. Division of power between central and state government

Formal amendment: change or addition 4 ways with most common being when amendment is proposed by Congress by a 2/3 vote in the houses and then ratified by ¾ of state legislatures

Slavery amendments 13th 14th 15th

13th Slavery is abolished 14th Citizenship, due process and equal protection clause 15th Right to vote regardless of race, color or servitude

Basic Legislation Congress passes laws Example: presidential succession

Executive Action The way the President uses his power Example: treaty, declare war

Court Decisions Supreme court rulings Example: any landmark court decision

Custom Unwritten ways of doing things Example: Cabinet selection

Party Practices Actions taken by political parties throughout history Nominations of candidates, organization of Congress

CHAPTER 4 Federalism

Should States Be Required to Enforce Federal Laws?

Close Up on the Supreme Court Printz v United States