1. Chapter 2 Foundations of Government
American Civics
10/28/2017
Chapter 2 Foundations of Government
Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Section 2: The First Government
Section 3: A New Constitution
Chapter 2

2. Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
The Main Idea
Government plays an essential role in every country. A country’s government affects the lives of its people. Often, it affects people around the world.
Reading Focus
What are two main types of government?
What are the purposes of government?
How does the U.S. government guarantee freedom to its citizens?

3. Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Types of Governments
Characteristics of Governments
Democracy
People rule directly or indirectly
Direct
Representative
All voters make decisions together.
People elect representative. (ex.U.S.)
Monarchy
Ruled by a king or queen
Absolute
Monarchs have total control.
A person or small group has absolute power and does not answer to the people.
Dictatorship

4. Democracies Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
The people rule directly (direct democracy) or through elected officials (representative democracy or republic).

5. Roles of Government Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Provide essential services for the country/citizens
Every country has some form of government
Provides laws and a Constitution
In the U.S. we have:
U.S. Constitution
State Constitutions for all 50 states

6. Section 2: The First U.S. Government
The Main Idea
The American ideals that people should rule themselves and that government should protect human rights are clearly set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
Reading Focus
Why is the Declaration of Independence so important?
What were the Articles of Confederation, and what were their weaknesses?
What was the effect of a weak national government on the United States?

7. The Declaration of Independence
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
The Declaration of Independence
Author Thomas Jefferson
If a government does not protect citizens, citizens can remove government
purpose of government is to protect human rights
Stresses equality among individuals

8. Limitations of the Articles of the Confederation:
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
Limitations of the Articles of the Confederation:
Articles of Confederation was the first U.S. federal Government
Confederation-a system of government where power is concentrated in the states.
The Articles were too weak and too confusing
There was no money to pay for expenses or services.
Each state regulated its own trade and had its own currency.
Conflicts between the states and Congress developed.

9. Effects of a weak national government:
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
Effects of a weak national government:
States couldn’t settle disputes
The country lacked a national identity.
The states quarreled over boundary lines and trade.
The country looked weak to other nations.

10. Section 3: A New Constitution
The Main Idea
The framers of the U.S. Constitution drew upon a history of democratic ideals while developing a document that would establish a new, stronger federal government.
Reading Focus
What historical principles of government influenced the delegates to the Constitutional Convention?
How did the U.S. government become stronger under the Constitution?
How did the viewpoints of Federalists and Antifederalists differ, and how were these differences resolved?

11. Section 3: A New Constitution
Articles of Confederation failed what do we do now? Constitution got ideas from:
Magna Carta—free people cannot be arrested without a trial by jury of their peers; Parliament’s rights are protected; English citizens only judged by English laws
English Bill of Rights—right to petition a change of laws; right to a fair punishment
Parliamentary government—found in Great Britain and holds its power in one legislative branch).

12. Alexis de Tocqueville – 3 generative principals of democracy:
Section 3: A New Constitution
Alexis de Tocqueville – 3 generative principals of democracy:
Equality of Condition
Popular Sovereignity
Free Public Opinion

13. The U.S. government became stronger under the Constitution.
Section 3: A New Constitution
The U.S. government became stronger under the Constitution.
A federal system was established.
Powers included printing of money, raising armed forces, and levying taxes.
3 branches of government created (executive, legislative, judicial.

14. Debate over the Constitution created two groups:
Section 3: A New Constitution
Debate over the Constitution created two groups:
Federalists—strong national government would keep the country united
Antifederalists—strong national government would not protect the people’s freedoms and would take power from the states
A bill of rights was proposed to outline the rights of the people under the Constitution.

15. Section 3: A New Constitution
Federalists papers: Papers debating the ratification of the Constitution
Federalist 10-author James Madison, factions (ex. Political parties) are a “necessary evil”
Federalist 51 – a system of checks and balances to ensure no branch would be too powerful
Federalist 78-debated the power of the judicial branch and whether they should be able to serve for life

16. Ratification of the Constitution:
Section 3: A New Constitution
Ratification of the Constitution:
1787
States would not ratify the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added.

17. Chapter 2 Wrap-Up
1. What are two of the major factors that shape a country’s government?
2. How are a democracy and other types of governments different?
3. What were the key purposes of the Declaration of Independence?
4. What were some of the problems the country faced after independence was declared?
5. In what ways did the colonists’ English political heritage influence American ideas about government and individual rights?
6. What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?
7. What were the arguments of the Federalists and Antifederalists?