Origins of American Government

Essential Features of a State A. Population, the most obvious essential feature of a state. B. Territory, or an area with fixed boundaries. C. Sovereignty, or absolute authority, within its territorial boundaries. D. A government which maintains order, provides public services, and enforces decisions that its people must obey.

Discussion Question U.S. citizens sometimes complain about government, claiming it has too much power and control over their lives. Why do you think they feel this way? (People usually complain about government when it affects them directly.)

Theories of the Origin of the State A. Evolutionary Theory-The state evolved from the family group. B. Force Theory-One person or a group used force to establish its authority to govern the people. C. Divine Right Theory-The rulers of the people were chosen by the gods to govern. D. Social Contract Theory-The people gave the government its power to rule them, and in return the government had to respect the people’s rights.

Discussion Question During World War II the government imposed hardships, such as the rationing of gasoline and food, on the U.S. population. Are such measures justifiable? Why or why not? (When national security is threatened, strong measures are needed.)

Make a list of what you think are the purposes of government.

The Purposes of Government A. Maintaining Social Order-Governments are needed to maintain social order by making and enforcing laws. B. Providing Public Services-Governments provide essential services for people, such as promoting public health and safety. C. Providing National Security-Governments protect people from attack by other states and from internal threats such as terrorism. D. Making Economic Decisions-Governments pass laws that shape and control the nation’s economy in various ways.

Constitutions and Government A. A constitution is a plan that provides the rules for government. B. Whether written or unwritten, a constitution organizes the structure of government and the way it operates. C. Constitutions set out the goals and purposes of government as well as the ideals shared by the people. D. Constitutions provide the supreme law for states and their governments.

Discussion Question How important do you think a written constitution is to a democratic form of government? (Students should note the need for limited government.)

Make a list of the reasons you believe that democracy works.

Characteristics of Democracy A. Government works to secure an equal opportunity for people to develop their own abilities. (Individual Liberty) B. Government is based on majority rule through the people’s elected representatives, but respects the rights of minorities. C. Government is based on free and open elections in which every citizen has the right to vote, every vote has equal weight, and candidates for office can freely express their views. D. Political parties choose candidates for office, respect the voters’ decisions in elections, and act as loyal opposition.

Discussion Question Why do you think that nations with wide gaps between the rich and the poor are less likely to have successful democracies? (Where there are wide gaps between rich and poor there is less agreement on basic issues.)

The Soil of Democracy A. Certain conditions or environments favor the development of the democratic system of government. B. Countries where citizens participate fully in civic life are more likely to maintain a strong democracy. C. Stable, growing economies with a large middle class help strengthen democracies.

The Soil of Democracy D. A public school system open to all people helps promote democracy. E. A strong civil society in which a network of voluntary organizations (including economic groups, religious groups, and many others) exists independent of government helps democracy to flourish. F. The people accept democratic values such as individual liberty and equality for all in a social consensus.

Discussion Question As a society, what steps do you think we might take to encourage more people to participate in our democratic government? (Better education about democracy, simpler voting methods, or more direct democracy.)

English Governing Documents

Magna Carta, 1215 the right of the church to be free from governmental interference the rights of all free citizens to own and inherit property the rights of all free citizens to be protected from excessive taxes. It established the right of widows who owned property to choose not to remarry established principles of due process and equality before the law. No arbitrary imprisonment Established a right to have a trial by jury. It also contained provisions forbidding bribery and official misconduct.

English Petition of Rights, 1628 (1) No taxes may be levied without consent of Parliament (2) No subject may be imprisoned without cause shown (reaffirmation of the right of habeas corpus) (3) No soldiers may be quartered upon the citizenry (4) Martial law may not be used in time of peace.

English Bill of Rights, 1689 no royal interference with the law. Though the sovereign remains the fount of justice, he or she cannot unilaterally establish new courts or act as a judge. no taxation by Royal Prerogative. The agreement of parliament became necessary for the implementation of any new taxes.taxationRoyal Prerogative only civil courts, not Church courts, are legal freedom to petition the monarch without fear of retributionpetition no standing army may be maintained during a time of peace without the consent of parliament. [9]standing army [9]

English Bill of Rights, 1689 no royal interference in the freedom of the people to have arms for their own defense as suitable to their class and as allowed by law (simultaneously restoring rights previously taken from Protestants by James II)freedom of the people to have armsJames II no royal interference in the election of members of parliament the freedom of speech and debates or proceedings in Parliament ought not to be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliamentfreedom of speechimpeached or questioned "grants and promises of fines or forfeitures" before conviction are void no excessive bail or "cruel and unusual" punishments may be imposed

American Governing Documents The Articles of Confederation And The Constitution

Types of Governmental Systems

Government Systems A. A unitary system of government gives all key powers to the national or central government. B. A federal system of government divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments. C. A Confederation is an alliance of independent states.

Government Under the Articles A. The nation’s first government included a single-chamber Congress, with limited powers. B. Each state had one vote, but it had no executive branch or court system.

Weaknesses of the Articles A. The Congress had no power to collect taxes and had to depend on the states for money; it had no power to regulate trade; and it had no power to enforce the laws. B. Amending the Articles required the approval of all the states. C. The central government had no president or executive branch and carried out much of its work through congressional committees. D. There was no system of national courts; instead state courts enforced and interpreted national laws.

The Need for Stronger Government A. Soon after the war, disputes broke out among the states; the government’s debt left soldiers unpaid. B. Many were alarmed when an economic depression in 1786 lead to Shays’s Rebellion, an armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers who could not pay their debts. C. Leaders who favored a stronger government failed to accomplish much at the 1786 Annapolis Convention, but persuaded the Confederation Congress to call a convention in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Shays Rebellion clip