1. AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

2. Chapter 2 Origins of American Government
How did we get to where we are today?
Why is the United States one of the greatest countries to live in?

4. Our political beginnings
The colonists brought with them 3 major ideas. The first colony was Jamestown VA 1607 and Georgia was the last colony to granted a charter in 1732.
Ordered government (let’s get along)
Limited government (power is restricted)
Representative government (G serves people)

5. Important documents
1215 Magna Carta-trial by jury, due process and limit on king’s power
1628 Petition of Right-right to jury trial, no martial law during peacetime, no quartering of troops, no taxes without permission
1689 English Bill of Rights-shifts power from king to Parliament
Our Constitution nearly mirrors the ideas of these documents

6. The 13 English colonies were formed through 3 types of charters (written grant of authority from the king)
Royal (ruled directly by the crown)
Proprietary (organized/managed by owner)
Charter (granted directly to colonists)
They had bicameral or unicameral legislatures

7. 1643 New England Confederation formed
1754 Albany Plan of Union proposed
1765 Stamp Act
1770 Boston Massacre
1773 Boston Tea Party

8. The coming of independence
By 1760 the colonies had become very independent. In other words they were used to being left alone…
Unfortunately for England and King George III in 1760 they were in financial trouble (due to war) and needed money…SOLUTION > tax the colonies…the colonies were upset and protested claiming “taxation without representation.”

9. Protests don’t work
The American revolution begins April 19, 1775
On May 10, 1775 the colonies begin the Second Continental Congress > this is the first Government of the USA and produced the Declaration of Independence
13 States (formerly the 13 colonies) wrote constitutions proclaiming POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY

10. The Critical Period
Second Continental Congress (May 1775) creates the Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation > weak document (loose union) > states argued > leads to Constitution

11. One branch of Government
Make war and peace
Send and receive ambassadors
Make treaties
Borrow money
Set up monetary system
Establish post offices

12. Build navy
Raise money by asking states for troops
Fix uniform standards of weights and measures
Settle disputes among states

13. The life of the “old constitution”
Second Continental Congress by default is our first national government (July 1776-March 1781)
Articles of Confederation FORMALLY adopted on March 1, 1781
Replaced by our current CONSTITUTION on March 4, 1789

14. Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation
Overall it tied the states together in a loose union (each state was largely independent)
Government could only 1. set up military 2. make war and peace 3. settle state disputes
Central government had little power => it could not make States obey the Articles or the laws passed by the legislature

15. Rebellion and Chaos makes us rethink…
…how we are organized (page 45) =>
Constitutional Convention (meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation) May 25, 1787
Framers decided to create NEW government (page 50)

16. The Constitution
Creating the Constitution
Ratifying the Constitution

17. Creating the Constitution
How are we going to do things so we can prosper? So we can get along? So G doesn’t have all the power?

18. Key Points Delegates decide to work in secrecy
The Virginia Plan (protects large states)
The New Jersey Plan (protects small states)
=> Both plans offer a new way to run our country

19. The Connecticut Compromise recommends that we “combine” the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan and create a Congress with TWO houses

20. The Three-Fifths Compromise
Should slaves be counted in the population of the Southern States? This question was greatly debated.
=> All “free persons” should be counted and
“Three-Fifths of all other persons”

21. The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
Delegates agreed that Congress had to have the power to regulate foreign trade and interstate trade (page 52)
Southerners protested and insisted on certain protections
=> 1. Congress could not tax the export of goods from any state
2. Could not act on slave trade for at least years.

22. “No Compromise” of Basic Issues
Delegates committed to the idea that the NEW GOVERNMENT needed to be powerful enough to deal with the nation’s huge social and economic problems.

23. Thus, even though the Constitution is called a “bundle of compromises” the delegates strongly believed in…
Popular sovereignty
Limited government
Representative government
Principle of separation of powers
Principle of checks and balances

24. Ratifying the Constitution
How do we get it approved? What are the states going to say when they see this new document? Does the Central Government have too much power?
Today the Constitution of the United States of America is both admired and respected all over the world…

25. …but in 1787 and 1788 many opposed it and ratifying (formally approving) it was very tough
=> Fortunately the Framers saw that the UNANIMITY requirement did not work and changed to Constitution to only needing NINE states for approval.
=> copies are sent to all states on September 28, 1787

26. Federalist vs. Anti-Federalists
Vigorous debate takes place and two groups emerge in each state
=> Federalists (in favor of approval)
=> Anti-Federalists (opposed to approval)

27. Federalists Side
Stressed that the ARTICLES OF CONFERATION does not work
A new country (the USA) can only succeed with the proposed CONSTITUTION

28. Anti-Federalists Side
Didn’t like the process itself
Objected to the absence of any mention of GOD
Objected because states could no longer print money
Of most concern: 1. increased power of central
government
2. the lack of a bill of rights

29. Despite objections the Constitution is finally approved on July 26, 1788 (page 57)
Our new government is inaugurated on September

30. summary
Colonies influenced by Magna Carta, Petition of Right, and English Bill of Rights as they are gradually established from 1607 to 1732.
Independent colonists are “abrutly” told that they need to pay more taxes. Colonists protest harsh treatment and want taxes and other harsh policies to be repealed
Revolutionary war April 19, 1775-October 19, 1781

31. Creating the Constitution

32. Chapter 3

34. The Constitution

35. 1. Government by consent of the people
2. Government is not all powerful
3. Distribution of power (3 branches)

36. 4. Each branch is held accountable by other branches
5. Court has the power to determine constitutionality of government actions
6. Division of power between central and state government

37. Formal amendment: change or addition
4 ways with most common being when amendment is proposed by Congress by a 2/3 vote in the houses and then ratified by ¾ of state legislatures

38. Slavery amendments
13th
14th
15th

39. 13th Slavery is abolished
14th Citizenship, due process and equal protection clause
15th Right to vote regardless of race, color or servitude

41. Basic Legislation
Congress passes laws
Example: presidential succession

42. Executive Action
The way the President uses his power
Example: treaty, declare war

43. Court Decisions
Supreme court rulings
Example: any landmark court decision

44. Custom
Unwritten ways of doing things
Example: Cabinet selection

45. Party Practices
Actions taken by political parties throughout history
Nominations of candidates, organization of Congress

46. CHAPTER 4
Federalism

48. Should States Be Required to Enforce Federal Laws?

49. Close Up on the Supreme Court
Printz v United States