Origins of American Government Chapter 2

Section1: Roots of Democracy From the start, the English colonies in North America experimented with forms of self-government. The English colonists were influenced by ideas from various intellectual traditions, ranging from republicanism to natural rights theory, Judeo-Christian ideals, and the work of Enlightenment thinkers.

Section1: Roots of Democracy

Section1: Roots of Democracy Representative Government Tradition began in 11th century. Evolved into bicameral, or two-chamber, legislature Limitied Government Began in 1215 when King John signed Magna Carta Moved from rule of man to rule of law Outlined individual rights which king could not violate Included taxation and trial provisions

Section1: Roots of Democracy 1628: King Charles required to sign Petition of Right Required monarchs to obtain Parliamentary approval before levying new taxes, also could not unlawfully imprison people or establish military rule during times of peace 1689- Lead to civil war, King Charles was beheaded, and William & Mary replace him. Had to agree to English Bill of Rights

Section1: Roots of Democracy Experiment in Early Governance – -Jamestown’s House of Burgesses, -Mayflower Compact, 1620 -Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639

Section1: Roots of Democracy Types of English Colonies Three types established Proprietary, based on land grant to individual or group Royal colonies, directly controlled by king through appointed governor Charter colonies, operated under charters agreed to by colony and king; had most independence from the Crown

Section1: Roots of Democracy

Section1: Roots of Democracy Republicanism Idea of representative government going back to Greece and Rome Influences included Aristotle, Machiavelli, de Montesquieu, others Judeo-Christian Influences Religious heritage common to both Christianity and Judaism Law and individual rights of divine origin

Enlightenment

Section1: Roots of Democracy Enlightenment Thinkers Enlightenment—Intellectual movement in 18th century Europe Framers of U.S. Constitution believed in people’s natural rights to life, liberty, and property. Social contract—People form a government to protect their rights Philosophers John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau important contributors. Also Adam Smith, Voltaire, and Blackstone.

Section 2: American Independence In 1775 the Second Continental Congress called for the writing of a formal Declaration of Independence. Early Attempts at Unity 1643: New England Confederation formed to defend against threats from Native Americans and Dutch colonies 1754-1763: French and Indian War spurred new drive toward unity

French and Indian War 1754-1763

Section 2: American Independence 1760: King George III began to tighten control over colonies Changes in British Policies British victorious in French and Indian War, but incurred massive debts 1765: Stamp Act: Parliament’s first attempt to tax colonists directly Required tax stamp on paper goods such as legal documents and newspapers

Section 2: American Independence Colonial Protests 1766: Stamp Act repealed; colonies protested, organized resistance; 1770 Boston Massacre 1773: Boston Tea Party protested American tea trade given to one British company. 1774: New harsh laws, Intolerable Acts, ended all forms of self-rule in Massachusetts.

Section 2: American Independence 1774: First Continental Congress passed Declaration and Resolves demanding repeal of Intolerable Acts 1775: Second Continental Congress organized Continental Army, named George Washington as commander 1776: The Common Sense pamphlet argued case for break with England.

Section 2: American Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote most of document, drawing on Virginia Declaration of Rights adopted by Virginia House of Burgesses one month earlier. June 7, 1776: resolution proposed to Second Continental Congress to officially declare independence from Great Britain; resolution passed July 2

Section 3: Articles of Confederation In 1777 the Second Continental Congress passed the first official plan for national government. All states ratified by 1781. After the Revolutionary War, weaknesses in the Articles led to conflicts among the states, sparking calls for a stronger national government.

Section 3: Articles of Confederation A Delay in Ratification Disputes over control of western lands delayed the ratification process. Small states feared large states with claims to western lands would overpower them Created weak national government

Section 3: Articles of Confederation Powers of the National Government One-house Congress: power to act on matters of common interest; admit new states; settle disputes; coin money; raise army; declare war; conduct foreign policy State Powers States retained all powers not specifically given to Congress Powers included: ability to collect taxes, enforce national laws

Section 3: Articles of Confederation Weaknesses of the Articles Without national court system, Congress had to rely on state courts to apply national laws Most importantly, Articles denied Congress power to tax Difficult to raise funds to repay money borrowed during Revolution

Section 3: Articles of Confederation Shay’s Rebellion September 1786: rebellion of Massachusetts farmers facing prospect of losing land Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays led attacks on courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms. Shay’s Rebellion swelled to nearly 2,500 by 1787. Led to call for revising Articles

Section 4: Constitutional Convention At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, delegates debated competing plans—the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan—for how the new government should be organized George Washington elected President of the convention.

Section 4: Constitutional Convention

Section 4: Constitutional Convention May 25, 1787: convention gets underway with representatives of 12 of the 13 states Rhode Island, fearing weaker state powers, sent no delegation. 55 delegates, known as Framers of the Constitution James Madison a major influence “Father of the Constitution.”

Section 4: Constitutional Convention Based on the ideas of James Madison, The Virginia Plan called for a central government divided into three branches The Virginia Plan called for bicameral legislature with membership based on state’s population; lower house members elected directly by the people; upper house members selected by state legislatures

Section 4: Constitutional Convention The New Jersey Plan called for a strong central government made up of three branches, but was designed to stick closer to the Articles of Confederation. Each state would have one vote, with equal representation regardless of its population.

Section 4: Constitutional Convention June 30, 1787: Roger Sherman presented The Connecticut Compromise (The Great Compromise). Elements of both plans (New Jersey and Virginia Plans) incorporated. Three-Fifths Compromise: three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted to determine a state’s population.

Section 4: Constitutional Convention Presidential Election Some wanted president elected directly by the people; others by the state legislatures or the national legislature Compromise: state electors Process for ratifying the constitution established.

Section 5: Ratification and the Bill of Rights Ratification of the Constitution involved a heated debate between those who supported the Constitution and those who opposed it. Antifederalists opposed the Constitution because it lacked a bill of rights. The Federalist Papers outlined the key ideas of the Federalists, who supported the Constitution.

Section 5: Ratification and the Bill of Rights Constitutional Convention adjourned September 17, 1787 Framers outlined process for ratifying Constitution Voters in each state to elect representatives to state ratifying convention To become law, Constitution had to be ratified by 9 of 13 states Two factions Federalists supported Constitution Antifederalists opposed Constitution

Believed national government would become too powerful The Antifederalists Recognized need for stronger national government but thought Constitution betrayed ideals of American Revolution Believed national government would become too powerful Strongest criticism—Constitution lacked bill of rights guaranteeing civil liberties The Federalists Feared central government that was too strong, but feared weak government more Government would be empowered to defend against foreign enemies, regulate trade, and put down internal disturbances. Believed separation of powers in Constitution put limits on government power

The Federalist Papers Writing Team Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay Wrote under pen name, Publius—one of founders of Roman Republic Authored 85 essays total collectively called the Federalist Papers Rebuttal Essays Antifederalists published own essays Protecting liberty a chief concern.

Section 5: Ratification and the Bill of Rights The Fight for Ratification Because they did not trust government, the Antifederalists wanted the basic rights of the people spelled out in the Constitution. The struggle over the Bill of Rights became a key focus in the fight over ratification. First Congress made bill of rights one of government’s first priorities December 1791: 1st 10 amendments, traditionally called the Bill of Rights, ratified. Bill of Rights