American Democracy & Citizenship Our Democratic Foundations

Foundations of Democracy U.S. has a democratic republic – people have the power to rule and elect representatives to serve in government Based on ideas from Greeks and Romans, British political system, and philosophers from the Enlightenment

Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 Officially separated 13 colonies from English government Did NOT start the Revolution! (started April 1775) Written by Thomas Jefferson “Created” the U.S.A.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Articles of Confederation 1781-1789 - first true U.S. government Weak national government / strong state governments – opposite of England’s No President to enforce laws – feared he might become a king One-house Congress with little power No way to tax, support a national military, print money, or enforce its laws

Dissatisfaction with the Confederation Each state government had own laws, currency – little cooperation Gov’t couldn’t pay pensions to soldiers as promised Shays’ Rebellion – western Massachusetts, 1786-87 – debt-ridden farmers rebelled when state took farms & imprisoned debtors Crisis convinced many Americans a better system was needed

U.S. Constitution 1789-present Replaced Articles of Confederation “Written” by James Madison Three branches of government: Legislative – Makes law (Congress) Executive – Enforces law (President) Judicial – Interprets law (Courts)

Federalist & Anti-Federalist Constitution had to be ratified (approved) by 9 of the 13 states Federalists thought central government should be strong – James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay – The Federalist Papers Anti-Federalists feared power of central government; took too much power from the states – Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson

Bill of Rights Proposed in 1789 to settle debate between Federalists and anti-Federalists Approved by states in 1791 First 10 Amendments to the Constitution Listed citizens’ basic rights in the new government

A “Living Document” Constitution can change through amendments (changes or additions) as culture and country change Slavery, voting rights, civil rights were some of the major changes since 1791 Only 27 Amendments (10 + 17) – requires 2/3 of both houses of Congress and ¾ of all states to approve Courts can interpret Constitution and expand or decrease certain powers and rights over time