1. { Government Notes – Chapter 2

2.   English colonists brought with them heritage of freedom & principles of govt   Concept of limited govt (dating from Magna Carta 1215) was accepted part of Eng system   Petition of Right (1628) severely limited power of Eng monarch   Colonists believed in limits on ruler’s power & freedoms protected in English Bill of Rights (1688)   Colonists firmly believed in representative govt (modeled after Parliament)   Ideas of 17 th cent English philosopher John Locke influenced colonists I. An English Political Heritage

3.   Present system of Amer govt evolved largely from colonial governments & their practices   Written plans of govt were key feature of colonial period   Representative assemblies elected by people helped establish tradition of representative govt in America   Division of govt powers among governor, colonial legislatures, & colonial courts helped establish principle of separation of powers II. Government in the Colonies

4.   Britain regarded Amer colonies largely as source of econ benefits, did allow them limited self-govt   British govt tightened control over colonies following French & Indian Wars   King George III & ministers made colonies help pay for war by levying new taxes III. The Colonies on Their Own

5.   Harsh British policies & taxes helped unite colonies   Colonists sent petitions to king & also organized committees of correspondence   1 st Continental Congress (Philadelphia, 1774) debated what colonies should do regarding relationship w/Britain   2 nd Continental Congress (1775) – fighting had begun & Congress acted as central govt to carry on Revolution IV. Colonial Unity

6.   Thomas Paine’s Common Sense strengthened independence movement   Declaration of Independence drafted in 1776 (by committee headed by Thomas Jefferson)   Declaration set forth principles for new nation   Had 3 parts: statement of purpose (including description of basic human rights); list of specific complaints against King George III; and statement of determination to separate from Britain   By end of 1776, 10 states had adopted written constitutions (based on consent of governed, limited govt, and protection of individual rights) V. Independence

7.   Nation’s 1 st govt included single chamber (unicameral) Congress w/limited powers   Each state had 1 vote in Congress, but govt had no executive branch or court system VI. Government under the Articles

8.   Congress had to depend on states for money & had no power to collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws   Amending articles required approval of all states   Central govt had no president or executive branch & carried out much of work through cong. Committees   No system of national courts – state courts enforced & interpreted national laws VII. Weaknesses of the Articles

9.   Confederation govt established fair policy for developing western land   Signed peace treaty with England   Set up several departments establishing precedent for cabinet departments VIII. Achievements of the Articles

10.   Following Revolution, disputes broke out among states; government’s debt left soldiers unpaid   Economic depression in 1786 led to Shays’ Rebellion (armed uprising by Mass. Farmers who could not pay debts)   1786 Annapolis Convention accomplished little, but Confederation Congress was persuaded to call convention in Philadelphia to revise Articles IX. Need for Stronger Government

11.   Meetings held in secret, each state would have 1 vote, all decisions by majority vote, quorum of 7 states required for all meetings   Delegates decided to draft new plan of govt instead of revising old X. The Convention Begins

12.   VA plan proposed strong executive, national judiciary, & strong 2 house (bicameral) legislature – lower house would be chosen by people, upper house chosen by lower house. This plan favored by large, more populous states.   NJ plan – weak executive of more than 1 person elected by Congress, national judiciary w/limited powers, 1 house (unicameral) legislature – 1 vote per state. This plan favored by smaller states.   Connecticut Compromise – legislative branch w/2 parts (House of Representatives with state representation based on population and Senate with 2 members/state). Gave larger states advantage in House & protected smaller in Senate. XI. Decisions & Compromises

13.   3/5ths Compromise – counted 3/5ths of enslaved Africans in determining state’s representation in House of Reps   Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise – allowed slave trade until 1808. Congress forbidden to tax exports & granted power to regulate both interstate commerce & trade w/other nations   Founders compromised on issue of slavery & simply ignored it for the most part in Constitution   Delegates agreed to other compromises – including 4 year term for president & Electoral College XI. Decisions & Compromises

14.   Supporters & opponents of Constitution began great debate   Federalists – urged ratification – strong national govt needed to solve nation’s problems & deal w/foreign countries   Anti-Federalists – opposed ratification – Constitution drafted in secret, took important rights from states, & lacked Bill of Rights   Federalists proposed adding Bill of Rights, and small states learned more about Connecticut Compromise – battle over ratification ended   New national govt launched in 1789 – Congress met for 1 st time in NYC. Soon after Washington took oath of office of President XII. Ratifying the Constitution