Origins of American Government Section 1 at a Glance The Roots of American Democracy The English political heritage of representative government, limited government, and individual rights influenced the development of government in the United States. From the start, the English colonies in North America experimented with forms of self-government. The English colonists were influenced by ideas from various intellectual traditions, ranging from republicanism to natural rights theory, Judeo-Christian ideals, and the work of Enlightenment thinkers.

Origins of American Government Tradition began in 11 th century. Evolved into bicameral, or two- chamber, legislature Nobles comprised Upper House. Local representatives participated in House of Commons. Representative Government English Political Heritage Began in 1215 when King John signed Magna Carta Moved from rule of man to rule of law Outlined individual rights which king could not violate Included taxation and trial provisions Limited Government

Origins of American Government Individual Rights 1628: King Charles required to sign Petition of Right Required monarchs to obtain Parliamentary approval before levying new taxes, also could not unlawfully imprison people or establish military rule during times of peace Extended conflict between Charles and Parliament erupted into civil war in : English Bill of Rights passed Free speech and protection from cruel and unusual punishment guaranteed Glorious Revolution established constitutional monarchy. English Political Heritage (cont’d.)

Origins of American Government English colonists began to settle parts of North America in the early 1600s, bringing English political theories and methods of governance. Three types established Proprietary, based on land grant to individual or group Royal colonies, directly controlled by king through appointed governor Charter colonies, operated under charters agreed to by colony and king; had most independence from the Crown Types of English Colonies The English Colonies

Origins of American Government Intellectual Influences In addition to English traditions, ideas were key to transforming loyal English colonists first into revolutionaries and then into founders of a new nation. Republicanism Idea of representative government going back to Greece and Rome Highly values citizen participation, public good, civic virtue Influences included Aristotle, Machiavelli, de Montesquieu, others Judeo-Christian Influences Religious heritage common to both Christianity and Judaism Law and individual rights of divine origin

Origins of American Government Enlightenment Thinkers Enlightenment—Intellectual movement in 18 th century Europe Social contract—People form a government to protect their rights Philosophers John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau important contributors Intellectual Influences (cont’d.)

Origins of American Government Section 2 at a Glance American Independence After the French and Indian War, the colonists rebelled against British attempts to assert control over the colonies and against new British taxes. In 1775 the Second Continental Congress called for the writing of a formal Declaration of Independence.

Origins of American Government : French and Indian War spurred new drive toward unity 1754: Great Britain urged signing of treaty with Iroquois Confederation Early Attempts at Unity 1760: King George III began to tighten control over colonies Most colonists viewed selves as loyal subjects of British Crown Following French and Indian War, Parliament placed new financial burdens on colonists Growing Tensions The Road to Independence

Origins of American Government The Stamp Act Congress 1765: Stamp Act: Parliament’s first attempt to tax colonists directly Required tax stamp on paper goods such as legal documents and newspapers Angry colonists responded with protests; in 1765, delegates from 9 colonies sent strong protest to king declaring power to tax should remain with colonial assemblies. Colonial Protests 1766: Stamp Act repealed; colonies protested, organized resistance; Boston Massacre 1773: Boston Tea Party protested American tea trade given to one British company. 1774: New harsh laws, Intolerable Acts, ended all forms of self-rule in Massachusetts.

Origins of American Government Second Continental Congress 1775: Second Continental Congress organized Continental Army, named George Washington as commander Revolutionary War began as colonists sought independence from Britain First Continental Congress 1774: First Continental Congress passed Declaration and Resolves demanding repeal of Intolerable Acts. 1775: British rejected demands; British troops clashed with colonial militia at Lexington and Concord—the first armed resistance by colonists. Common Sense of Democracy 1776: The Common Sense pamphlet argued case for break with England. Thomas Paine: independence was the only “common sense” for colonists The Continental Congress

Origins of American Government Armed conflict continued for months before independence officially declared June 7, 1776: resolution proposed to Second Continental Congress to officially declare independence from Great Britain; resolution passed July 2 Echoed philosophy of John Locke that people have rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence was adopted. Britain’s thirteen colonies ceased to exist as new nation emerged. The Declaration of Independence

Origins of American Government Section 3 at a Glance Articles of Confederation In 1777 the Second Continental Congress passed the first official plan for national government, the Articles of Confederation. After the Revolutionary War, weaknesses in the Articles led to conflicts among the states, sparking calls for a stronger national government.

Origins of American Government Articles of Confederation June 1776: new model of government crafted to build “firm league of friendship” among states, retaining “sovereignty, freedom and independence” June 12, 1777: Articles of Confederation adopted A Delay in Ratification Disputes over control of western lands delayed the ratification process. Small states feared large states with claims to western lands would overpower them. First National Government

Origins of American Government Powers of the National Government Created weak national government; did not provide for national court system One-house Congress: power to act on matters of common interest; admit new states; settle disputes; coin money; raise army; declare war; conduct foreign policy State Powers States retained all powers not specifically given to Congress Powers included: ability to collect taxes, enforce national laws States required to contribute funds to national government as they saw fit First National Government (cont’d.)

Origins of American Government Lacked authority to regulate trade Congress had power to coin money, but not sole power to do so; created barrier to trade, major obstacles to economic development Congress required to have 9 of 13 states to ratify laws, while only one state could raise objections to block changes in Articles—weakened Congress’s ability to act swiftly and decisively Weaknesses of the Articles

Origins of American Government 1787: Northwest Ordinance planned for settling Northwest Territory Included areas now in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota and Wisconsin—disputed western lands that had delayed ratification of the Articles Created system for admitting new states, banned slavery, included bill of rights Northwest Ordinance Most pressing problem: war debts States pursued own interests, flouting national laws; like “13 sovereignties pulling against each other” Dangers and Unrest Pressures for Stronger Government

Origins of American Government Calls to Revise the Articles May 1787: meeting to strengthen Articles held in Philadelphia Shay’s Rebellion September 1786: rebellion of Massachusetts farmers facing prospect of losing land Revolutionary War Captain Daniel Shays led attacks on courthouses to prevent judges from foreclosing on farms. Shay’s Rebellion swelled to nearly 2,500 by Shay’s Rebellion showed how feeble the Confederation Congress was and hastened moves to revise the Articles. Pressures for Stronger Government (cont’d.)

Origins of American Government Section 4 at a Glance The Constitutional Convention At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, delegates debated competing plans—the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan—for how the new government should be organized. To finalize the Constitution, delegates compromised on key issues.

Origins of American Government The Convention Meets May 25, 1787: convention gets underway.Rhode Island, fearing weaker state powers, sent no delegation. Meetings were held in strict secrecy without press or public. Framers of the Constitution 55 delegates, known as Framers of the Constitution George Washington, president of convention James Madison a major influence Drafting a New Constitution

Origins of American Government The Virginia Plan Based on the ideas of James Madison, The Virginia Plan called for a central government divided into three branches—legislative, executive, judicial—each branch with power to check the others. Called for bicameral legislature with membership based on state’s population; lower house members elected directly by the people; upper house members selected by state legislatures Rival Plans

Origins of American Government The New Jersey Plan Delegates from small states concerned that Virginia Plan gave too much power to large states Called for unicameral legislature Each state would have one vote, with equal representation regardless of its population. Despite support from small states, the plan was ultimately rejected at the Convention. Rival Plans

Origins of American Government June 30, 1787: Roger Sherman presented The Connecticut Compromise (The Great Compromise). Elements of both plans Bicameral legislature: lower house number based on state’s population, upper house with two members each Lower house elected directly by the people; upper house selected by state legislatures The Great Compromise Counting slaves would greatly increase population and power of southern states Three-Fifths Compromise: three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted to determine a state’s population. Compromise Over Slavery Conflict and Compromise

Origins of American Government Section 5 at a Glance Ratification and the Bill of Rights Ratification of the Constitution involved a heated debate between those who supported the Constitution and those who opposed it. Antifederalists opposed the Constitution because it lacked a bill of rights. The Federalist Papers outlined the key ideas of the Federalists, who supported the Constitution.

Origins of American Government Constitutional Convention adjourned September 17, 1787 Framers outlined process for ratifying Constitution –Voters in each state to elect representatives to state ratifying convention –To become law, Constitution had to be ratified by 9 of 13 states Two factions –Federalists supported Constitution –Antifederalists opposed Constitution Antifederalists versus Federalists

Origins of American Government The Federalists Feared central government that was too strong, but feared weak government more Government would be empowered to defend against foreign enemies, regulate trade, and put down internal disturbances. Believed separation of powers in Constitution put limits on government power The Antifederalists Recognized need for stronger national government but thought Constitution betrayed ideals of American Revolution Believed national government would become too powerful Strongest criticism—Constitution lacked bill of rights guaranteeing civil liberties

Origins of American Government Writing Team Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay Wrote under pen name, Publius—one of founders of Roman Republic Authored 85 essays totalCollectively called the Federalist Papers Rebuttal Essays Antifederalists published own essays Protecting liberty a chief concern. The Federalist Papers

Origins of American Government Because they did not trust government, the Antifederalists wanted the basic rights of the people spelled out in the Constitution. The struggle over the Bill of Rights became a key focus in the fight over ratification. First Congress made bill of rights one of government’s first priorities December 1791: 10 amendments, traditionally called the Bill of Rights, ratified Bill of Rights The Fight for Ratification

Origins of American Government