1. Chapter 2 Foundations of Government
American Civics
4/21/2017
Chapter 2 Foundations of Government
Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Section 2: The First Government
Section 3: A New Constitution
Chapter 2

2. Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
The Main Idea
Government plays an essential role in every country. A country’s government affects the lives of its people. Often, it affects people around the world.
Reading Focus
What are two main types of government?
What are the purposes of government?
How does the U.S. government guarantee freedom to its citizens?

3. A. Two types of governments
Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
A. Two types of governments
1. Non-democratic a. Monarchies i. Monarchies today b. Dictators i. Force ii. Oligarchy iii. Totalitarian

4. A. Two types of governments
Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
A. Two types of governments
1. Non-democratic c. Theocracy i. Rule

5. A. Two types of governments
Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
A. Two types of governments
2. Democratic a. Democracy i. Direct democracy ii. Representative democracy iii. Republic

6. B. Purpose of Government
1. Helping people 2. Provide services 3. Provide laws

7. C. Guaranteeing Freedom
1. Structure 2. Beliefs 3. Guarantees 4. Rights

8. Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Types of Governments
Characteristics of Governments
Democracy
People rule directly or indirectly
Direct
Representative
All voters make decisions together.
People elect representatives.
Monarchy
Ruled by a king or queen
Absolute
Monarchs have total control.
A person or small group has absolute power and does not answer to the people.
Dictatorship

9. Section 2: The First U.S. Government
The Main Idea
The American ideals that people should rule themselves and that government should protect human rights are clearly set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
Reading Focus
Why is the Declaration of Independence so important?
What were the Articles of Confederation, and what were their weaknesses?
What was the effect of a weak national government on the United States?

10. A. Events Towards Independence
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
A. Events Towards Independence
1. No Representation
Stamp Act
a. “No taxation without representation”
b. Repealed
Continental Congress

11. A. Events Towards Independence
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
A. Events Towards Independence
4. King George III sends troops
a. Patrick Henry’s response
5. April 1775—Lexington and Concord

12. B. 1776—Declaration of Independence
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
B. 1776—Declaration of Independence
1. Representatives from 13 colonies meet
2. Committee members
3. Approved

13. B. 1776—Declaration of Independence
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
B. 1776—Declaration of Independence
4. Declaration and human rights
a. Statement of grievances
b. Consent of the governed
c. Human rights
d. “We hold these truths…”
5. Ideals of American government
a. Equal rights

14. C. Articles of the Confederation:
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
C. Articles of the Confederation:
1. Adopted in 1777
2. Approved in 1781
3. Association of separate groups
a. “Firm league of friendship”
b. Equal but separate
4. Limited national government
5. Congress—Legislative
a. Elected by state legislatures
b. Each state given one vote
6. Preserved state sovereignty

15. D. The Need for a Change Section 2: The First U.S. Government
1. Weak central government
2. States coin own money
3. Disputes with boundaries
4. Trade
5. Tax and debt
6. Decision making

16. D. The Need for a Change Section 2: The First U.S. Government 7. Army
8. Executive branch
9. Laws
10. States’ vote
11. Weak internationally
12. Need to strengthen national government
a. Shay’s Rebellion

17. Section 2: The First U.S. Government
difficult to change Articles because unanimous vote was needed
no execu-tive branch to enforce laws
difficult to pass laws because 9 out of 13 states’ approval was needed
WEAKNESSES OF THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
no means to regulate trade with foreign countries
no judicial branch to interpret laws
lacked power to collect taxes

18. Section 3: A New Constitution
The Main Idea
The framers of the U.S. Constitution drew upon a history of democratic ideals while developing a document that would establish a new, stronger federal government.
Reading Focus
What historical principles of government influenced the delegates to the Constitutional Convention?
How did the U.S. government become stronger under the Constitution?
How did the viewpoints of Federalists and Antifederalists differ, and how were these differences resolved?

19. A. Constitutional Convention
Section 3: A New Constitution
A. Constitutional Convention
1. Need for a stronger central government
2. May 1787 in Philadelphia

20. B. Convention and History
Section 3: A New Constitution
B. Convention and History
1. World’s oldest document
2. Influenced by historical democratic documents

21. C. British Historical Documents
Section 3: A New Constitution
C. British Historical Documents
1. Magna Carta
2. English Bill of Rights
3. British Parliament

22. D. Other Influences Section 3: A New Constitution 1. Mayflower Compact
2. Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau
3. Virginia statutes

23. Section 3: A New Constitution
E. Need for Secrecy
1. James Madison

24. F. Writing the Constitution
Section 3: A New Constitution
F. Writing the Constitution
1. Compromise—issues
2. Federalism
a. Federalists
b. Anti-Federalists

25. F. Writing the Constitution
Section 3: A New Constitution
F. Writing the Constitution
3. Representation
a. Virginia Plan
b. New Jersey Plan
c. Connecticut Compromise (aka Great Compromise)
4. Individual Rights
a. Bill of Rights

26. G. Constitution is Completed
Section 3: A New Constitution
G. Constitution is Completed
1. September 1787
2. Ben Franklin

27. A STRONGER U.S. GOVERNMENT
Section 3: A New Constitution
A STRONGER U.S. GOVERNMENT
Powers of the National Government
Powers Dealing with Laws
Provide a president to carry out the country’s laws
Establish the Supreme Court and other national courts to interpret laws
Print money
Raise armed forces
Regulate trade
Set taxes

28. Chapter 2 Wrap-Up
1. What are two of the major factors that shape a country’s government?
2. How are a democracy and other types of governments different?
3. What were the key purposes of the Declaration of Independence?
4. What were some of the problems the country faced after independence was declared?
5. In what ways did the colonists’ English political heritage influence American ideas about government and individual rights?
6. What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?
7. What were the arguments of the Federalists and Antifederalists?