1. Origins of
American
Government
Chapter 2

2. Section 1
The
Colonial
Period

3. English Heritage
Limited Government: The power of the monarch is no longer absolute
Magna Carta—1215—provided the basis for limited government
Petition of Right—1628
English Bill of Rights—1688

4. Representative Government: A government in which the people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government
English Parliament
House of Lords
House of Commons
Influence of Locke

6. Colonial Governments Basis of modern day American government
Limited democracy
3 key practices
Written constitutions
Elected legislatures
Separation of powers

7. Written Constitutions
Established a system of limited government and rule by law
Mayflower Compact
First example of plans for self-government
Great Fundamentals
First basic system of laws
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
America’s first formal constitution

8. Elected Legislatures Basis in religious freedom
Tradition established early
Exemplified the concept of “consent of the governed”
The Virginia House of Burgesses = 1st legislature in America
JAMESTOWN

9. Separation of Powers Power was divided among the:
Governor: King’s agent with executive powers
Colonial legislatures: Passed laws
Colonial courts: Heard cases
*Served as a political “training ground” for our future leaders*

11. The Articles of
Confederation
Section 3

12. “League of friendship” between 13 independent states
March 1781—ratified by all states
Unicameral Congress which chose all executive positions
No federal court system
Central government very weak

13. Congressional Powers Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors
Make treaties
4. Raise and equip a navy

14. Appoint senior military officers 7. Fix weights and measures
5. Maintain an army
Request troops from
the states
Appoint senior military officers
7. Fix weights and measures

15. Regulate Indian affairs
Establish post offices
10. Decide certain disputes between the states

16. Weaknesses of the Articles
Congress could not levy or collect taxes
2. Congress could not regulate trade
3. Congress could only ask the states to comply with laws

17. Laws need the approval of 9 of the 13 states*
Changing the article required the consent of all of the states*
*Each state had one vote
No executive branch, only congressional committees
No national court system

18. Achievements Development of lands west of the Appalachians
Peace treaty with Great Britain
Set the precedent for the creation of cabinet positions

19. Need for a Stronger Government
States were arguing
Major financial problems
Shays’s Rebellion
Annapolis Convention: Discuss commerce
Philadelphia convention: Change the Articles to make the national government more effective

20. The
Constitutional
Convention
Section 4

21. Organization George Washington chosen to preside over the meetings
Each state has one vote on all questions
Delegates for 7 of the 13 states had to be present for meetings to take place
Closed to the public and the press

22. Areas of Agreement Desire to build a new government
Limited and representative government
Separation of power
Stronger national government

23. Representation Areas of Compromise Virginia Plan 2 house legislature
Proportional Representation
Favored more populated states

24. New Jersey Plan One-house legislature with one vote per state
Favored less populated states

25. Connecticut Compromise
Two-house legislature
House of Representatives:
based on population
*Advantage: Large states
Senate:
each state had two
representatives
*Advantage: Small states

26. Slavery, representation, and taxation
South: Wanted slaves to be counted in the population, but not for taxation purposes
North: Took the opposite position
Three-Fifths Compromise:
3/5 of all enslaved people would count for both tax and representation purposes

27. Slave trade and commerce
Congress cannot ban slave trade until 1808
Congress can regulate both interstate commerce and foreign trade
Congress cannot tax exports

28. 4. Slavery
Left it to future generations to settle so that the South would accept the Constitution
5. Electoral College
6. Presidential term

29. Ratification 9 out of 13 states agree = Constitution becomes law
Two political parties formed
Federalists: Favored the Constitution as is
Anti-Federalists: Opposed the Constitution because it lacked a Bill of Rights;
Feared a strong national government

30. The Massachusetts Centinel Wednesday, January 30th 1788

31. Federalists promise to add a Bill of Rights
9th state = New Hampshire, but New York and Virginia had not yet agreed = Problem
Last = Rhode Island
New York City = temporary capital
George Washington = first president
1791—Bill of Rights added