2.0 Vocabulary Anti-federalist Bicameral legislature Checks & balances Confederation Electoral college Executive agreement Federal system Federalist Great Compromise Judicial review Madisonian Model Natural rights Ratification Representative assembly Separation of powers Social contract State Supremacy doctrine Unicameral legislature AP PPT 2.1

Colonial Background The Constitution AP PPT 2.1

Where did our government come from? U.S. Constitution is relatively short. 4,543 words with the signatures 7,591 with the amendments Knowing the historical and political context is essential to understanding American government and politics Most provisions of the USC are grounded in the political philosophy of the time. AP PPT 2.1

Jamestown First English settlement in North America 1607 Royal charter state, “full power and authority to make laws for the good and welfare of the settlement. Colonist instituted a representative assembly Set precedent for future colonies AP PPT 2.1

Separatists and the Mayflower First New England colony established in 1620 Destination was Virginia but got blown off course Groups that wished to ‘separate’ from the Church of England Landed in Plymouth Massachusetts Sought a place to exercise their religious beliefs AP PPT 2.1

Mayflower Compact Groups was outside jurisdiction of the Virginia Company. Agreement among the men on board to yield to the decisions of the group. Majority rule Social contract Set forth the idea of consent of the governed AP PPT 2.1

Pilgrim Beliefs Committed themselves to the idea of self-government Concept of ‘separation of church and state’ not present It was a religious colony – with church membership a requirement. AP PPT 2.1

More Colonies , More Government Colonist made decisions about internal issues Colonies not united as a group until after First Continental Congress (1774) Each colony was separate with its own decision making government. AP PPT 2.1

Politics and Religion Declaration of Independence mentions God but not Christ The word “God” doesn’t appear in the USC. The founders were devout Christians who opposed mixing religion and state. AP PPT 2.1

Where do American attitudes about the religious founding of American come from? Pope King Priests Nobility Peasant Laity (parishioners) AP PPT 2.1

Where do American attitudes about the religious founding of American come from? Parishioners We the People Reformation Enlightenment Ministers Government AP PPT 2.1

British Restrictions – Colonial Reactions 1763 British parliament passed law to treat colonies as a unit Needed to raise revenue to pay for French and Indian War (1756-1763) Seven Years War in Europe AP PPT 2.1

First Continental Congress Colonies realized their was power in working together against Parliament Congress wanted to return to pre-French & Indian status Leave us alone to do our thing! If Crown and parliament had relented – would the DI have been needed. AP PPT 2.1

Second Continental Congress Struggle had turned into open rebellion Congress established the militia around Boston as the Continental Army George Washington made general and Chief AP PPT 2.1

Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 One of the most important documents in history Statement of Universal truths Natural rights (unalienable rights) John Locke Social Contract A voluntary agreement among people to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government. AP PPT 2.1

Declaration of Independence Based on the idea of the ‘consent of the governed’ Mayflower Compact Government has the responsibility to protect our rights If not, its our right to revolt! Significance – established legitimacy of new nation to the world. AP PPT 2.1

Summary Questions Explain how the colonial experience prepared Americans for independence. Describe how the Declaration of Independence came to be written and the importance of its second paragraph. AP PPT 2.1