1. Origin of America’s Government

2. 3 Concepts Brought from England
1) Ordered Gov’t
> Structure of political machine
> Example: Sheriff, Coroner, Justice of the Peace, Counties, Townships, Etc
2) Limited Gov’t
> Gov’t is not all powerful
> Magna Carta – people enable the gov’t(…right?)
3) Representative Gov’t
> People have a voice in gov’t thru representatives
> Why use representatives?

3. Political Timeline 1643 – New England Confederation 1754 – Albany Plan
What is a “confederation?”
Main purpose was a protection against the Indians
1754 – Albany Plan
Ben Franklin's Idea: Use delegates from each colony
Main Purpose was securing trade, protection against French and Indians
1765 – Stamp Act Congress
“No taxation without representation”
9 of the 13 Colonies were involved
1st time the majority stood against the British

4. Political Timeline, con’t
1774 – 1st Continental Congress
12 of the 13 colonies attended (Georgia did not)
Main purpose: response to the Intolerable Acts
1775 – 2nd Continental Congress
ALL 13 colonies were there
1st form of National Government
1776 – Declaration of Independence
Formal documentation that stated the obvious
“We hold these truths…”

5. The Declaration of Independence
What are the truths that are “self-evident?”
What rights are “inalienable?”
Where does government derive their “just powers?”
Why did the colonist oppose king-appointed and paid judges?
Did the writers really mean ALL MEN are “created equal?”

6. Probably have a quiz soon 10 questions or so, over the notes…

7. The Critical Period The 1st and 2nd Cont. Congresses had no legal base
The 1st attempt to “get something on paper” was the Articles of Confederation
“Rough Draft” of the Constitution
Articles of Confederation created a strong state gov’t and a weak national gov’t

8. 8 Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
1 vote for each state, no matter the size
No taxation at all
No regulation of commerce or trade
No executive branch (president)
No court system
All states must agree for an amendment
9/13 majority to pass laws
“Firm league of friendship”

9. Constitutional Convention May 1787
12 of 13 states show up in Philly (no RI)
55 guys (average age 42)
These men became known as the “Framers of the Constitution”
The Constitution is sometimes called – “a bundle of compromises” here’s why…

10. Compromises Representation
New Jersey Plan – representation based on statehood
Virginia Plan – representation based on population
Eventual Settlement – Connecticut Compromise
Bicameral (2 houses): Upper House based statehood known as the Senate, Lower House based on population known as the House of Representatives

11. Compromises Slavery 3/5s Compromise
3 out of every 5 slaves would be counted toward the population
13th amendment makes this null
Does this make any since?

12. Compromises Trade Congress could not tax exports
What are exports? Imports?
Congress could not mess with the slave trade for a minimum of 20 years
Check Point
Name three of the problems with the Articles…

13. Ratification The Constitution was completed on Sept 17, 1787
39 names signed the document
The document was printed and circulated around the 13 states, so that a debate and ratification could eventually take place.
9 States were necessary in order for the Constitution to be “official.”

14. Two Groups Evolve Federalists
Favored ratification (liked the Constitution)
James Madison & Co.
Stressed the weaknesses of the Articles
Stronger Central Gov’t
Anti-Federalists
Against Ratification
Patrick Henry & Co.
Stressed the weakness of the Constitution
Stronger State Gov’t
Wanted Bill of Rights
Quick Review
What are the 3 compromises that were necessary to get a Constitution out to the people?

15. Ratification Process ___ were needed to ratify. Anybody?
By June 1788 they had the nine needed states
Still they waited to make it official…why, you ask…
Because New York and Virginia had not passed it
What’s the big deal about these two states?
By July of 1788 these two made the total 11 of the 13

16. Couple of other things…
James Madison – Father of the Constitution
In order to get the state of New York to ratify - The Federalist Papers were circulated (Hamilton, Madison, Jay)
George Washington elected in April 1789