American Political Heritage Integrated Social Studies Madison Southern High School

Quick-Write Imagine you are living in a world without any form of government. There are no laws to tell citizens how to behave and treat others. In your own words, what does this type of society look like? Explain in a short paragraph response.

What is Civil Society? Civil Society, simply put, is what holds us together. It is what maintains order and prevents chaos. Also, it promotes the citizens being involved in the political process and understanding what is happening in the world and how it affects them.

What is Civil Society? We all connect to each other in society through our values and institutions that define us. The quality of our participation in private and public life is closely connected with the character of our actions in civil society. The key is balance it so that one interest doesn’t outweigh the other.

What is Civil Society? Individual Rights Rule of Law The Common Good Tolerance What do these things mean?

Section 01 – Colonial Experience Main Idea – During the colonial period, Americans established traditions of freedom and self- government. Key Terms – Heritage Legislature Charter Tyranny

Shared American Heritage Heritage – the traditions passed down to us from generation to generation. What exactly is our shared American heritage? Can you think of some examples of how we celebrate our heritage?

Voice in Government Legislature – a group of people chosen to make the laws. From the beginning the colonists were used to having a voice in their local government. The first representative government in America began in 1619 in Virginia.

Royal Authority The English monarch established each colony through charter, a document giving permission to create a government. The charter was a weapon of the King. If colonists didn’t listen to his decrees or tried to defy his rule, he would take away their right to self-govern. If this occurred, military rule was established.

Preserving Rights Colonists had grown resistant to outside influence from England. Two factors led to this: England was fighting numerous wars from 1600-1700 and was too busy to rule over the colonies entirely. Because the colonies were allowed to self- govern, they had grown used to having a voice.

Signs of Discontent By the mid 1700s, England had tightened control over the colonies. Redcoats occupied Boston and were in most of the 13 colonies. Many colonists accused England of tyranny, or the abuse of power. Can you think of some examples of modern day tyrants?

Signs of Discontent The colonies are England’s greatest resource. Over 40% the imports England receives are from the colonies. Cotton, Sugar, Tobacco, Corn, Coffee, etc. Still, these colonists aren’t given equal status within the British Empire and are taxed for their goods. All these taxes come without Colonial representation in Parliament.

Tax Examples Sugar Act (1764) – King George and Parliament impose this in order to generate revenue, or money, for Britain. The Colonists resent being milked for being successful. Stamp Act (1765) – any and all paper for public use or trade had to be officially sealed, or stamped. Tea Act (1773) – tax on all imported teas to encourage colonists to buy only English tea.

Quick-Write Imagine for a moment that you are in this situation in today’s society. You, and those around you, live under constant military supervision, by order of the country’s leader. Despite being citizens that contribute to the vast success of your nation, you’re treated like you’re a threat. You think the freedoms and rights you do have are about to be stripped away completely. How would you feel? What would you do? Write a paragraph responding to this scenario.

Section 02 – Government Roots Main Idea – American colonists began to think about what they wanted from their government. They looked to models from ancient Greece and Rome, English history, and European philosophers. Key Terms – Direct Democracy Republic Natural Rights Separation of Powers

Looking to Greece and Rome Athens – Created the world’s first democracy; a form of government in what laws are made directly by the citizens. Citizens were allowed to vote to pass laws or make decisions. Rome – In 509 B.C. founded a republic; a government in which representatives are elected to pass laws.

English Tradition Magna Carta – In 1215 empowered English noblemen forced King John to sign a document listing rights that even the monarch could not take away from nobles. English Bill of Rights – In 1689 the English legislature, called Parliament, passed a Bill of Rights which further limited the Monarch’s power.

Relying on Reason In Europe during the 1600s and 1700s, philosophers wrote that the people have the power of reason; the ability to think clearly. Natural Rights: Rights people are born with and that no government can take away. Separation of Powers – dividing government power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Section 03 – Nationhood Main Idea – After becoming dissatisfied with English rule, the colonies declared themselves an independent nation. After winning the American Revolution, they turned to task of strengthening and improving their new government. Key Terms – Compact Ratification

Views on Government/Trade English View Colonist View Claim that Parliament actually did represent all English citizens, including the colonists. Since no colonists served in Parliament, nor could colonists vote for Parliament, English government did not attend to colonial needs. Trade Conflict – Parliament only allowed the colonists to trade with England.

Clashing Views “No Taxation Without Representation.” England is in huge debt from over 100 years of war, both in the colonies and around the world. When Parliament decided to raise money to pay its debts by taxing the colonies, this enraged many colonists, leading to various protests.

Prelude to Independence 1774: The First Continental Congress met in response to the Intolerable Acts of 1774. How would the colonists respond? It had no effect. 1775: Fighting breaks out in Massachusetts, leading to a war.

Prelude to Independence 1775: The Second Continental Congress managed the colonial war effort and would eventually ratify, or agree with, the Declaration of Independence. 1776: “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine inspired the American Revolution. It made a clear case and a pathway for American independence.

Declaration of Independence It was written by members of the Second Continental Congress, including: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams. Signed on July 4th, 1776

Declaration of Independence It announced that the 13 American colonies considered themselves as independent states. It stated that the people give power to their government so long as that government protects their rights as citizens. If the government abuses those rights, it can be changed or done away with by the people.

Declaration of Independence It also listed the ways in which England had ignored the rights of the colonists as English citizens – proof that they were being ruled under absolute tyranny. This justified their actions against England.

Organizing a New Government Compact – a written agreement to make and obey laws for the welfare of the group. Because each individual colony was founded by a charter prior to independence, people were used to the idea of having a written plan of government. During and after the Revolution, each state had its own constitution.

Articles of Confederation November 15, 1777: The original compact was created between the soon independent colonies. The total ratification, or approval, of the Articles of Confederation didn’t take place until 1781, after the Revolutionary War. The first state to ratify the Articles was Virginia in 1777; the last state to ratify was Maryland in 1781.

Organizing the Articles There was no executive or judicial branch. Allowed for a national legislature, called Congress, with each state having one vote. Congress had the power to declare war, make treaties of peace with foreign countries, and form trade agreements between states. All 13 states must agree on a motion, or bill, for it to pass.

Problems Unable to deal effectively with European nations. Many of the states had different opinions on whether there should be a strong central government or strong state governments – all of the states had to come to an agreement in order to ratify/pass anything. Congress had borrowed a large amount of money to pay for war supplies, but couldn’t tax the people.

Problems Congress could make decisions, but it was unable to regulate trade or enforce their decisions. What are your thoughts on what you see here?

Shay’s Rebellion 1786: Hundreds of angry Massachusetts farmers, led by Daniel Shays, revolted to show their anger over poor trade conditions and high state taxes. Congress didn’t have the power to force other states to help put down the uprising. Militia violently stops the rebellion, killing 4 and wounding dozens of other farmers. The incident exposed a weak central government.