Origins of American Government
Basic Concepts of Democracy Ordered Government- Starts very early with local government positions (sheriff, justice of the peace) and structures (county, township) Limited Government- Government is not all-powerful Individuals have rights Representative Government- Government serves the will of the people
Foundational Documents These three documents are the basis of all the freedoms enjoyed by Americans.
Magna Carta (1215) Introduces trial by jury, due process of law Over time, these rights are expanded for all English people. Establishes the principal that the power of the monarch is not absolute.
The Petition of Right (1628) England’s Parliament had grown powerful over the years since the Magna Carta. When England’s Charles I wanted to raise money and wanted Parliament to give him more money in taxes, it demanded that he sign the Petition. The document guaranteed trial by jury, outlawed martial law during times of peace, required homeowners to quarter soldiers without their consent only if deemed necessary by Parliament.
The Bill of Rights (1688) Follows Glorious Revolution Prohibits a standing army in peacetime, except with consent of Parliament. Gave Parliament the “Power of the Purse.” Ensures a fair trial, and freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.
Step I Toward Independence: Colonial America Over 125 years, 13 American colonies are established. Most importantly, these are English colonies which were established by charter, a written grant of authority from the king. During this period, Americans establish self-rule through their colonial assemblies. There were three types of colonies: Royal, Proprietary, and Charter.
Step II: Colonial Unity Albany Plan of Union (1754): -Proposal to bring the colonies together, mostly for economic and defensive reasons. [Ben Franklin] First Continental Congress (1774): -Urges colonies to refuse all trade with Britainboycotts. Second Continental Congress (1775): -Really our first national government, it adopted the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
The Declaration of Independence A committee of the Second Continental Congress drafted the Declaration. In the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson asserted the “self evident” and truth of men’s“unalienable rights” to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Politically, the Declaration sought to unify the disparate interests of colonial society around core principles and in opposition to the British crown.
The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union History Adopted 1777 Ratified 1781 America’s governing document until 1789 Content Weak central government Legislative dominance/No executive branch Execution of laws left to individual states Major bills had to be ratified by unanimous decision of the 13 states.
The Constitutional Convention The Constitution increased the power of the central government. It established a strong executive branch. The central government was given coercive power over the states.
Large—Small State Differences The Virginia Plan Seats in national legislature to be apportioned on the basis of population Supported by large states The New Jersey Plan Each state to have equal representation in the national legislature Supported by small states
The Great Compromise House of Representatives seats to be apportioned by population as large states preferred. Senate representation to be equal for each state as small states preferred. The Great Compromise bridged the competing interests of large states and small states.
The Three-Fifths Compromise The Three-Fifths Compromise held that three of every five slaves would be counted for the purpose of apportioning seats in the House of Representatives.
Crash Course Constitutional Compromises: Crash Course Government and Politics #5 8:56 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCCmuftyj8A