Unit 1: Foundations of American Government

Why it Matters…. _____________ is essential to the existence of human beings in a civilized society. It is the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. The _______ ________ of a government are all of those things a government decides to do.

Life without Government… Think about what your life would be like without government…. Who would protect you? Who would provide education? Who would protect the environment? Who would punish criminals? Who would respond to disasters? Who would pave streets and regulate traffic? Who would protect civil rights? Who would care for the elderly and the poor?

Government goes way back… The ancient _________ lived by the _____ ___________________ which were a collection of laws that were designed around Morals

Ancient Influences on American Democracy The ancient Greeks created the idea of the _______________ ________________. It was practiced as a _________ _____________ (government in which all citizens had say via participation in voting). The Romans developed the concept of the _______________ ____________ (one in which the citizens elect representatives to act on their behalf in government).

Questions and Review What is government? Why is government important? What is the difference between a Direct Democracy and a Representative Democracy?

Influences of the Enlightenment The thinking of the founding fathers (especially Thomas Jefferson) was heavily influenced by the intellectual changes occurring in 1700's Europe. The __________ ________________ focused on reason, human thought and experience as opposed to the divine reasoning of religious thought. This thinking in government is best seen in the work of Locke, Rousseau and Montesquieu.

Influences of the Enlightenment ________________ declared that all men are born with the “natural rights” of "life, liberty, and property" and no government can revoke these rights. Locke maintained that citizens grant governments the power to rule, in order to protect their natural rights. When a government fails to protect rights and consent is revoked, the government can be changed or replaced with a revolution. John Locke

Influences of the Enlightenment ________________ further developed the idea of the social contract, based on the previous ideas of Locke. Rousseau stated that if the social contract is broken, a revolution is justified. Jean Jacques Rousseau

Influences of the Enlightenment ____________________ was an enlightenment philosopher who wrote of the benefits of dividing power in a government among more than one branch. Baron de Montesquieu

Influences of the Enlightenment Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers borrowed many of these ideas when crafting the _____________ ____ _______________ and the Constitution. Natural Rights appear in the declaration as "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness".  Thomas Jefferson

Influences of the Enlightenment The notion of replacing a government that fails to maintain consent is cited as justification for the American Revolution against the English. Finally, ______________ ___ _________ is integrated into US government along the ______ _______ __________ and protected by the system of ______ ___ __________. Founding fathers signing the Constitution

Questions and Review What were John Locke’s “natural rights”? What did Rousseau say about revolutions? According to Montesquieu, what benefitted governments?

Why was America Settled? _________, Profit, & Praise

British Influences on American Government Numerous government documents from _________ influenced early Colonial America and the later American Government.

British Influences on American Government ________ _________: the first document to limit the king’s power. English _____ ___ _______: Parliament replaced the king as the dominant power Trial by Jury No cruel and unusual punishment Right to bear arms

British Influences on American Government Democratic developments date back to the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth rock. The ___________ ___________ (1620) was the earliest example. Pilgrims agreed to be governed by the English crown and to accept the decisions of that government.

British Influences on American Government Britain was in complete control of the 13 American Colonies for about _____ years. Political unrest was brewing due to violations in the “social contract.”

Questions and Review What was the purpose of the Magna Carta? What were some of the terms of the English Bill of Rights? What is the earliest example of democratic developments in America? How long did the British rule in America?

Causes of the American Revolution The American people were strongly independent. They wanted to do things for themselves. Great Britain was a long way away. The Americans didn't want people an ocean away telling them how to live their lives.

Causes of the American Revolution The British government made the American colonies pay a large share of the war debt from the _______ ____ _________ ____. The British tried to collect taxes that the American people considered harsh.

Causes of the American Revolution ________ Act: taxes on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, and playing cards ________ Act: taxes on sugar and molasses ____________ Acts: closed Boston Harbor, Massachusetts colony couldn’t govern itself

Causes of the American Revolution The Americans wanted to have representatives in Parliament or be able to vote for Britain’s lawmakers. “Taxation without Representation”

Causes of the American Revolution People called for Independence Thomas Paine, Patrick Henry Britain responded with passing more acts to limit colonists’ rights. Including: Quartering Act, Townshend Acts, and Declaratory Acts

Causes of the American Revolution Colonists started stockpiling guns and ammo Violated British laws Led to the shots fired at Lexington and Concord Beginning of the war

Questions and Review Why did the British impose taxes on the colonies? What gave rise to the phrase “taxation without representation”? What were the Americans’ response to the British taxes?