Origins of American Government Ch. 2

Section 1 Our Political Beginnings The earliest English settlers brought with them knowledge of a political system that had been developing for centuries. Political System: Established laws, customs, practices and institutions

Our Political Beginnings Early English colonist saw the need for . . . Ordered government They created local governments based on what they knew Limited government Individuals have rights the government can’t take away Representative Government Government should serve the will of the people

Our Political Beginnings Landmark English documents The Magna Carta created the concept of trial by jury and due process of law The Petition of Right limited the power of the King in several ways The Bill of Rights guaranteed right to a fair trial and protection from cruel and unusual punishment

Section 2 The Coming of Independence British Colonial Policies Because of the distance between the colonies and London, the colonists became used to a large measure of self-government. Around 1760, the British government began restricting trade and taxing the colonies more aggressively. “taxation without representation. . .”

Growing Colonial Unity The Albany Plan Franklin proposes that an annual congress of delegates from the 13 colonies be formed. This congress would have the power to raise a military and make war and peace with Native Americans Congress would also have the power to regulate trade and collect taxes. The plan is rejected by both the colonies and the Crown

The First Continental Congress In 1774 members from every colony except Georgia met in Philadelphia to discuss British reaction to the troubles in Boston and elsewhere. The Congress sent a Declaration of Rights to the King and urged each of the colonies to refuse all trade with England.

The Second Continental Congress Each of the 13 colonies send delegates to Philadelphia in 1775, three weeks after Lexington and Concord. The 2nd CC would become our nations first national gov’t. The 2nd CC would serve for five years.

The Declaration of Independence Agreed upon by the 2nd CC on July 4, 1776. The first paragraph announces the independence of the United States The remaining 2/3 speak of “the repeated injuries and usurpations” that led the colonist to revolt.

Section 3 The Critical Period On November 15, 1777, Congress approves the Articles of Confederation Created a unicameral Congress No Judicial Branch No Executive Branch Each state had one vote in congress Congress did not have the power to tax or regulate trade between the states.

A Need for a Stronger Government A movement toward a stronger government began to take shape in 1785. This movement would be led by merchants, traders, large property owners and creditors.

Articles of Confederation Imagine that you live during the critical period of the 1780’s. You have realized that the weaknesses of the A of C are creating difficult times for the government. Write an editorial to a local newspaper identifying the problems of the Articles and explain how these problems are affecting the nation’s government, and offer suggestions for change.

Section 4 Creating the Constitution In the summer of 1787, representatives from 12 of the 13 colonies meet in Philadelphia to recommend revisions to the Articles of Confederation. After they convene, they agree that they were meeting to create a new government.

The Virginia Plan Primarily the work of James Madison Called for government with three separate branches: Judicial, Legislative, Executive Bicameral legislature Representation in Congress based on a state’s population or the $ it contributed to the Nat’l gov’t Congress selects the “National Executive”

The New Jersey Plan Retained unicameral Congress Each state equally represented ( one vote) Called for a “federal executive” of more than one person to be chosen by congress Supreme tribunal appointed by the executive The major point of contention between the two plans was the representation of the state’s in Congress.

Compromise Connecticut Compromise (The Great Compromise) Called for bicameral legislature In the Senate states would be represented equally In congress representation based on population Three-Fifths Compromise Provided that “all other persons” count as 3/5 Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Congress can’t tax export of goods and cannot act on slavery for at least 20 years

Section 5: Ratifying the Constitution During the debates in each of the states, two groups quickly emerge. Federalists favor ratification and stressed the weakness of the A of C. Anti-Federalists oppose ratification because the Const. gave the federal gov’t too much power and there was no bill of rights

Ratification Nine of the 13 states need to ratify before the Constitution could take effect Delaware was first on June 21, 1788 New Hampshire was the ninth to ratify, but in reality the Constitution would not be legitimate until the two largest states—Virginia and New York—ratified In order to get the Anti-Federalist vote, it was agreed that the Bill of Rights issue would be addressed after ratification

New York City is chosen as the temporary capital A New Government New York City is chosen as the temporary capital New Congress convened on March 4, 1789. Final count of electoral votes occurs on April 6 Washington inaugurated as first president of U.S. on April 30, 1789

Question Why should we feel bound today by a document produced more than two centuries ago by a group of 55 mortal men, actually signed by only 39, a fair number of whom were slaveholders, and adopted in only thirteen states by the votes of fewer than two thousand men, all of whom are long since dead and forgotten?