1. U.S. Government Foundations Image of Original Constitution
As compiled by Mr. Stewart with materials from Magruder’s, West’s, and McGraw-Hill American Government
Image of Original Constitution
From National Archives

2. I. Gov’t and the State A. What is Gov’t? 1. Power and Authority
a. Sovereignty
2. Politics vs. Gov’t
B. Political/Territorial Designations
1. State
2. Nation
3. Country

3. C. Systems of Gov’t
1. Unitary
2. Confederate
3. Federal
D. Types of Gov’t
1. Authoritarian/Totalitarian
a. Absolute Monarchy
b. Dictatorship
c. Oligarchy
2. Democratic

4. E. Constitutional Gov’t
1. Form & Practice
F. Purpose of Gov’t (U.S. Constitution)
1. Form a more perfect Union
2. Establish Justice
3. Insure Domestic Tranquility
4. Provide for Common Defense
5. Promote General Welfare
6. Secure the blessings of liberty

5. The legitimate object of government is to do for a community of people whatever they need to have done but cannot do it at all, or cannot so well do for themselves in their separate and individual capacities. But in all that people can individually do for themselves, government ought not to interfere.
– Abraham Lincoln, 1854

6. II. Gov’t and Democracy A. Theories on Origins of Gov’t
1. Social Contract Theory – John Locke and others
2. Force Theory
3. Divine Right Theory
4. Evolutionary Theory

7. B. Democracies
1. Direct & Indirect
2. Democracy v. Republic
(idea v. substance;
approach v. form)

8. C. Basic Principles of Democracy
1. Citizen Participation
2. Regular, Free, Fair Elections
3. Acceptance of Results of Elections
4. Rule of Law
5. Majority Rule; Minority Rights
6. Limited Gov’t and Bill of Rights
7. Individual Freedom
8. Accountability & Transparency in Gov’t
9. Independent/Impartial Justice System
10. Political Competition/Opportunity

9. D. Free Enterprise and Democracy
1. Concept espoused by Adam Smith,
later Milton Friedman, others
2. Economic Freedom & Political Freedom intertwined

10. Beginnings of American Gov’t

11. Philosophical Basis A. English Legal and Political Thought
***insert image from pg. 38 here***
***insert image from pg. 57 here too***

12. II. Political Foundations
A. Three Principles
1. Ordered Gov’t - structure
2. Limited Gov’t – extent of power
3. Representative Gov’t – source of power

13. B. American Colonial Development
1. Colonies Established (e.g. – Massachusetts v. Jamestown) 2. “Salutary Neglect” – 1680s-1750s
3. French-Indian War –

14. C. Steps toward Independence
1. Closer British supervision and Taxation
2. Emerging Colonial Unity
3. Colonial Action in Opposition
a. Stamp Act Congress, 1765
b. Committees of Correspondence
c. First Continental Congress, 1774
d. Second Continental Congress, 1775
e. Declaration of Independence, 1776

15. D. Declaration of Independence
1. Document
a. Preamble – recognition of authority, state of being
b. Statement of Purpose – logical reasoning, human rights, and consent
c. List of specific grievances – some accurate, some embellished
2. Importance
a. Civil dissent/communication
b. Constitutional Clarity

16. III. Articles of Confederation, 1781
A. Gov’t Structure
1. Parliamentary Gov’t
2. Unicameral
B. Powers and Enforcement
1. Limited
2. based on state cooperation

17. C. State Obligations
1. provide funds and troops requested by Congress
2. treat all citizens fairly
3. give full faith and credit to other states
4. free trade among states

19. IV. Creating the Constitution
A. The Framers

20. From Magruder’s Am. Gov’t

21. B. Conflict and Compromise
1. Big State v. Small State
2. Slavery and representation
C. Finished and signed – Sept. 17, 1787

22. D. Six Basic Principles 1. Popular Sovereignty 2. Limited Gov’t
a. Constitutionalism
b. rule of law
3. Separation of Powers
a. Legislative
b. Executive
c. Judicial
4. Checks & Balances
5. Judicial Review
6. Federalism

23. V. Ratifying the Constitution
A. Fight for Ratification
1. Federalists
a. Supported
b. James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Marshall
2. Anti-Federalists
a. Opposed
b. Patrick Henry, Richard Lee, John Hancock, James Monroe, George Mason

24. B. Voting
1. Delaware 1st, Dec. 7, 1787
2. New Hampshire 9th, June 21, 1788
(VA and NY not ratified yet)
3. Federalist papers

25. C. A New Gov’t
1. George Washington elected
(First Capitol, NYC – not D.C.)