1. Origins of American Government
Chapter 2

2. Section1: Roots of Democracy
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.

3. Section1: Roots of Democracy

4. Section1: Roots of Democracy
Representative Government
Tradition began in 11th century.
Evolved into bicameral, or two-chamber, legislature
Limitied Government
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

5. Section1: Roots of Democracy
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
1689- Lead to civil war, King Charles was beheaded, and William & Mary replace him.
Had to agree to English Bill of Rights

6. Section1: Roots of Democracy
Experiment in Early Governance –
-Jamestown’s House of Burgesses,
-Mayflower Compact, 1620
-Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639

7. Section1: Roots of Democracy
Types of English Colonies
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

8. Section1: Roots of Democracy

9. Section1: Roots of Democracy
Republicanism
Idea of representative government going back to Greece and Rome
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

10. Enlightenment

11. Section1: Roots of Democracy
Enlightenment Thinkers
Enlightenment—Intellectual movement in 18th century Europe
Framers of U.S. Constitution believed in people’s natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
Social contract—People form a government to protect their rights
Philosophers John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau important contributors. Also Adam Smith, Voltaire, and Blackstone.

12. Section 2: American Independence
In 1775 the Second Continental Congress called for the writing of a formal Declaration of Independence.
Early Attempts at Unity
1643: New England Confederation formed to defend against threats from Native Americans and Dutch colonies
: French and Indian War spurred new drive toward unity

13. French and Indian War

14. Section 2: American Independence
1760: King George III began to tighten control over colonies
Changes in British Policies
British victorious in French and Indian War, but incurred massive debts
1765: Stamp Act: Parliament’s first attempt to tax colonists directly
Required tax stamp on paper goods such as legal documents and newspapers

15. Section 2: American Independence
Colonial Protests
1766: Stamp Act repealed; colonies protested, organized resistance; 1770 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.

16. Section 2: American Independence
1774: First Continental Congress passed Declaration and Resolves demanding repeal of Intolerable Acts
1775: Second Continental Congress organized Continental Army, named George Washington as commander
1776: The Common Sense pamphlet argued case for break with England.

17. Section 2: American Independence
Thomas Jefferson wrote most of document, drawing on Virginia Declaration of Rights adopted by Virginia House of Burgesses one month earlier.
June 7, 1776: resolution proposed to Second Continental Congress to officially declare independence from Great Britain; resolution passed July 2

18. Section 3: Articles of Confederation
In 1777 the Second Continental Congress passed the first official plan for national government. All states ratified by 1781.
After the Revolutionary War, weaknesses in the Articles led to conflicts among the states, sparking calls for a stronger national government.

19. Section 3: Articles of Confederation
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
Created weak national government

20. Section 3: Articles of Confederation
Powers of the National Government
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

21. Section 3: Articles of Confederation
Weaknesses of the Articles
Without national court system, Congress had to rely on state courts to apply national laws
Most importantly, Articles denied Congress power to tax
Difficult to raise funds to repay money borrowed during Revolution

22. Section 3: Articles of Confederation
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 1787.
Led to call for revising Articles

23. Section 4: 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
George Washington elected President of the convention.

24. Section 4: Constitutional Convention

25. Section 4: Constitutional Convention
May 25, 1787: convention gets underway with representatives of 12 of the 13 states
Rhode Island, fearing weaker state powers, sent no delegation.
55 delegates, known as Framers of the Constitution
James Madison a major influence “Father of the Constitution.”

26. Section 4: Constitutional Convention
Based on the ideas of James Madison, The Virginia Plan called for a central government divided into three branches
The Virginia Plan 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

27. Section 4: Constitutional Convention
The New Jersey Plan called for a strong central government made up of three branches, but was designed to stick closer to the Articles of Confederation.
Each state would have one vote, with equal representation regardless of its population.

28. Section 4: Constitutional Convention
June 30, 1787: Roger Sherman presented The Connecticut Compromise (The Great Compromise).
Elements of both plans (New Jersey and Virginia Plans) incorporated.
Three-Fifths Compromise: three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted to determine a state’s population.

29. Section 4: Constitutional Convention
Presidential Election
Some wanted president elected directly by the people; others by the state legislatures or the national legislature
Compromise: state electors
Process for ratifying the constitution established.

30. Section 5: 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.

31. Section 5: Ratification and the Bill of Rights
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

32. Believed national government would become too powerful
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
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

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

34. Section 5: Ratification and the Bill of Rights
The Fight for Ratification
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: 1st 10 amendments, traditionally called the Bill of Rights, ratified.
Bill of Rights