Origins of American Government Chapter 2 Origins of American Government

Our Political Beginnings When Europeans first came to the Americas they brought many ideas from their homeland 3 ideas they brought Ordered Government Regulate their relationships with one another Limited Government Government is restricted in what is may do, and each individual has certain rights that government cannot take away Representative Government Government should serve the will of the people

Our Political Beginnings These 3 notions trace back from landmark documents in English history The Magna Carta 1) 2) The Petition of Right The English Bill of Rights

Our Political Beginnings Our nation has built on, changed, and added to those ideas but much of the American government and today is based on early English ideas 13 English Colonies Established separately over a span of some 125 yrs

Royal Colonies Proprietary Colonies Charter Colonies

Our Political Beginning 3 different kinds of colonies: royal, proprietary, and charter Royal: colonies were subject to the direct control of the Crown King named a governor and a council Governors council – upper house of the colonial legislature Lower house – legislature elected by property owners who could vote ( Bicameral – two houses)

Our Political Beginnings Proprietary: colony organized by a proprietor A person to whom the King had made a grant of land Governor of colony appointed by proprietor Unicameral (one house) – Pennsylvania

Our Political Beginnings Charter: written grant of authority from the King Bicameral legislature These colonies were quite free from the rule of the Crown Governors were elected each year by the white, male property owners in each colony

The Coming of Independence All 13 colonies were established separately and controlled separately under the king In large the colonies were self-governed Colonist ignored many policies by the Crown until necessary 1760 when a new king took the throne stricter dealings with the colonies came into order Colonist considered themselves British subjects loyal to the Crown but refused to accept Parliament claims that it had a right to control their local affairs Colonist would have to decide whether to submit or revolt against the Crowns rule

The Coming of Independence If the colonies were to revolt they would have to learn to work together to succeed They had early attempts New England Confederation – eventually dissolved after colonies didn’t have as much tension from native Americans The Albany Plan Turned down by colonies and the Crown

The Coming of Independence The Stamp Act Congress New taxes by Britain were widely denounced Delegate from 4 colonies went to the Stamp Act Congress to protest First time a significant number of colonies had joined to oppose the British government New laws were passed after Stamp Act was repealed to make ties with the colonies closer to Britain Colonists resisted by mobs and boycotts

The Coming of Independence First Continental Congress – September 1774 New laws from Britain to punish colonists Delegates from all colonies agreed on a meeting to discuss the worsening situation and debated plans for action They sent a Declaration of Rights protesting Britain's policies and encouraged colonies to boycott British goods until their regulations were repealed.

The Coming of Independence Second Continental Congress – May 1775 British would continue to refuse to compromise Delegates agree to meet again Revolution had already began against Britain Each colony sent a representative Second Continental Congress became nation’s first national government and served for 5 years Declaration of Independence and Article of Confederation http://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/the-continental-congress/videos/declaration-of-independence?m=528e394da93ae&s=undefined&f=2&free=false

The Coming of Independence After Deceleration and the Articles were adopted, states created their own constitutions Conventions were commonly used to draft and then adopt these new documents States constitutions differed in detail but shared many similarities Popular sovereignty, limited government, civil rights and liberties, and separation of powers and checks and balances

The Critical Period 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses had no legal base The Article of Confederation was established to make “a firm league of friendship” between states It was simple, created a unicameral legislature Governmental structure Congress was the sole body, delegates chosen yearly by the states, each state had one vote

The Critical Period The Powers of Congress - powers were given to the Congress 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. State Obligations – states pledged to obey Articles and acts of Congress 1. 2. 3. Weaknesses – important powers were missing

The Critical Period The 1780s After Revolutionary War Peace at home was brought new nation problems into focus problems of economic and political situations States began arguing amongst one another because they had no strong government to follow After rebellions states came to agree that new government was needed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3KGG9afW7XY

Creating the Constitution Congressional Convention started on Friday May 25, 1787 in Philadelphia at Independence Hall 55 delegates from 12 states attended the Convention Known as Framers of the Constitution Many had served in Revolution, Continental Congress or Congress of the Confederation

Organization and Procedure Delegates agreed on keeping deliberation secret Conventions Journal – official record Most work was on the floor of the convention but some in matters of committees Delegates agreed the purpose of the convention was to replace the Articles of Confederation with a new constitution

Decisions 2 plans would be introduced to create the Constitution The Virginia Plan Called for 3 separate branches Legislature – Congress would be bicameral Upper House – Senate Lower House – House of Representatives Congress given all powers it held under Articles Congress would choose a “National Executive” and “National Judiciary” – two branches form a “Council of revision” – could veto acts passed by Congress but could be overridden by the two houses. State officers take oath to support Union and guaranteed a republican form of government Revised Articles to create new constitution

Decisions The New Jersey Plan Retained unicameral Congress of the Confederation Powers Congress already had, add limited powers to tax and regulate trade between states “federal executive” of more than one person All executives chosen by Congress “federal judiciary” be composed of a single “supreme Tribunal” appointed by the executive

Compromises Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise) Congress has 2 houses Senate – states represented equally House – states represented based upon its population Dispute was resolved on how states would be represented in Congress making smaller states feel more stable

Compromises The Three-Fifths Compromise All “free Persons” should be counted, and so, too, should “three-fifths of all other persons” Southerners would be able to count their slaves but have to pay to do so This compromise would disappear from the Constitution after the adoption of the 13th Amendment

Compromises The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Congress was forbidden the power to tax the export of goods from any State Also no power to act on slave trade for 20 years

Sources of the Constitution Delegates came from 12 different states all with their own ideas and systems already set in place in their own states Farmers drew on their own experiences Constitution was built on well educated men and documents from past rule and states September 17, 1787 the convention approved the work and 39 names were placed on the finished document

Ratifying the Constitution Constitution was printed and circulated through the States and debated Federalists – favored ratification – stressed weakness of Articles, argued many problems could be solved by a new form of government Anti-Federalists – opposed it – attacked nearly every part of document, increased powers of the central government, lack of bill of rights

Ratifying the Constitution New York last to ratify Inaugurating the Government September 13, 1788 New York as temporary capital 1st Wed in January, States choose presidential electors 1st Wed in February, electors would vote 1st Wed in March inauguration of the new government 1st President – George Washington and VP – John Adams