CHAPTER 2 Origins of Government

Constitutional Underpinnings Timeline of Events: 1754 – Albany Plan Proposed by: Ben Franklin 1760’s – King George’s taxes Ex: Stamp Act led to the Boston Tea Party 1774 – 1st Continental Congress 12/13 Colonies Main issue: 1775 – Revolutionary War

COMING OF INDEPENDENCE 1774 – 1st continental Congress – meeting of America’s greatest minds to discuss the Intolerable Acts Composed a declaration of Rights Sent the declaration to the King Soon, every colony gave support to the Congress

COMING OF INDEPENDENCE CON’T 2nd Continental Congress – 1775 – Served as America’s 1st government for 5 years The Declaration of Independence – transformed America into a United group that was willing to fight for a common purpose. Written by: Thomas Jefferson Revolutionary War – 1775 – 1781, ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783

COMING OF INDEP. Con’t 1777 – Articles of Confederation Effective – 1781 BUT……. They were not very good…

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses One vote per State No taxation No power to regulate foreign/interstate trade No executive No court system Amendment only with consent of all States 9/13 Majority to pass laws Only a “firm league of friendship”

Philadelphia Convention Independence Hall is, by every estimate, the birthplace of the United States. It was within its walls that the Declaration of Independence was adopted. It was here that the Constitution of the United States was debated, drafted and signed. That document is the oldest federal constitution in existence and was framed by a convention of delegates from 12 of the original 13 colonies. Rhode Island did not send a delegate. George Washington presided over the debate which ran from May to September 1787. The draft comprising a preamble and seven Articles, was submitted to all thirteen states and was to take effect when ratified by nine states. On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire, the ninth state, approved it and it became effective in March 1789.

Who? – 55 delegates from 12 States What? – Meeting When? – Summer of 1787 (May – Sept) Where? – Independence Hall, Philadelphia Why? – To remodel the Articles of Confederation How? – Completely restructured the government

Convention Debates Representation: 2 different plans: 1. The Virginia Plan: - Three branches -Bicameral Legislature – based on population or taxes -Popular election of House, not Senate -Interstate Powers for Congress

2. The New Jersey Plan: - Unicameral Congress - Equal Representation - Power to tax - Trade Regulation - Executive & Judiciary The Connecticut Compromise (aka) The Great Compromise: - Created 2 houses: Senate with equal rep. and the House with rep. based on pop.

More Compromises Slavery and Commerce: 1. The Three-Fifths Compromise: - 3/5 of “all other persons” will be counted South People North Property

2. Commerce and Slave Trade: -Congress is forbidden to tax exports -No act on slave trade for 20yrs