Chapter 2Chapter 2Origins of American Origins of American

GovernmentGovernmentSection 1- The Colonial PeriodSection 1- The Colonial Period

An English Political Heritage (pages An English Political Heritage (pages 35-38)35-38)

The English The English colonistscolonists brought with them a brought with them a heritageheritage of of freedomfreedom and principles of and principles of government that helped shape the government that helped shape the development of the development of the United StatesUnited States..The concept of The concept of limitedlimited government, government, dating from the dating from the Magna CartaMagna Carta in 1215, was in 1215, was an accepted part of the English system.an accepted part of the English system.

English Heritage cont.English Heritage cont.

The The Petition of RightPetition of Right in 1628 severely in 1628 severely limitedlimited the power of the English the power of the English MonarchMonarch..

The King could not collect taxes anymore The King could not collect taxes anymore without the Parliament’s approvalwithout the Parliament’s approval

The King could not imprison people without The King could not imprison people without just causejust cause

The The colonistscolonists believed in the believed in the limitslimits on on the ruler’s power and the the ruler’s power and the freedomsfreedoms protected in the English Bill of Rights protected in the English Bill of Rights which was passed by Parliament in 1688.which was passed by Parliament in 1688.

English Heritage cont.English Heritage cont.

The The colonistscolonists firmly firmly believedbelieved in in representativerepresentative government, following government, following the model of Parliament.the model of Parliament.

A A governmentgovernment in which people in which people electelect delegates to make laws and conduct delegates to make laws and conduct governmentgovernment

The ideas of 17The ideas of 17thth century English century English philosopher philosopher John LockeJohn Locke deeply deeply influenced the American colonists.influenced the American colonists.

He believed in the He believed in the laws of naturelaws of nature which which provided rights to life, liberty, and propertyprovided rights to life, liberty, and property

The Colonial Period cont.The Colonial Period cont.

Government in the Colonies (pgs. 38-Government in the Colonies (pgs. 38-40)40) The present The present systemsystem of American of American

government evolved from largely government evolved from largely colonialcolonial governments and their governments and their practices.practices.

Written plans or Written plans or constitutionsconstitutions were a were a key feature of the colonial period.key feature of the colonial period.

The The Mayflower CompactMayflower Compact that the Pilgrims that the Pilgrims signed in 1620 is the first example of many signed in 1620 is the first example of many colonial plans for colonial plans for selfself government government

Gov in Colonies cont.Gov in Colonies cont. Representative assemblies Representative assemblies electedelected by by

the the peoplepeople helped establish the helped establish the traditiontradition of representative of representative government in America.government in America. The The Virginia House of BurgessesVirginia House of Burgesses was the was the

first legislature in Americafirst legislature in America The division of government powers The division of government powers

among the governor, the colonial among the governor, the colonial legislature, and colonial courts helped legislature, and colonial courts helped establish the principle of the establish the principle of the separation of powersseparation of powers..

Section 2-Uniting for Section 2-Uniting for IndependenceIndependence

The Colonies on Their Own (pgs. 42-The Colonies on Their Own (pgs. 42-43)43) Although Although BritainBritain regarded the American regarded the American

colonies largely as a source of economic colonies largely as a source of economic benefits, it benefits, it allowedallowed them them limitedlimited self- self-government.government.

The British government The British government tightenedtightened its its control over the colonies after the control over the colonies after the French and Indian war.French and Indian war.

Colonies on Their Own cont.Colonies on Their Own cont.

King George King George IIIIII and his ministers and his ministers mademade the the coloniescolonies help help paypay for the for the war by war by levyinglevying new new taxestaxes on the on the colonists.colonists. Stamp Act- in 1765 Stamp Act- in 1765 requiredrequired the the

colonists to pay colonists to pay taxestaxes on legal on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, documents, pamphlets, newspapers, and even dice and playing cardsand even dice and playing cards

Uniting for Independence Uniting for Independence cont.cont.

Colonial Unity (pgs. 42-43)Colonial Unity (pgs. 42-43) HarshHarsh British British policiespolicies and taxes helped and taxes helped

uniteunite the the coloniescolonies.. To To protestprotest British British policiespolicies, the , the colonistscolonists

sent sent petitionspetitions to the king and also to the king and also organized committeesorganized committees of of correspondence.correspondence.

Urging resistance to the BritishUrging resistance to the British Within a few months, Massachusetts have Within a few months, Massachusetts have

more than 80 committeesmore than 80 committees

Unity cont.Unity cont.

The The FirstFirst Continental Continental CongressCongress held in held in Philadelphia in 1774, debated what the Philadelphia in 1774, debated what the colonies should do about their relationship colonies should do about their relationship with Britain.with Britain. They They implementedimplemented a trade a trade embargoembargo of of

British goodsBritish goods This This ledled to the to the firstfirst battle of the battle of the

RevolutionaryRevolutionary WarWar at Lexington and at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts in 1775 (“shot Concord in Massachusetts in 1775 (“shot heard ‘round the world”)heard ‘round the world”)

Unity Cont.Unity Cont.

When the When the SecondSecond Continental Continental CongressCongress met in 1775, fighting had begun and met in 1775, fighting had begun and Congress acted as a Congress acted as a central governmentcentral government to carry on the Revolution.to carry on the Revolution. They chose They chose John HancockJohn Hancock as president as president Voted to organize an Voted to organize an army and navyarmy and navy Started issuing moneyStarted issuing money Made Made George WashingtonGeorge Washington commander commander

of the new Continental Armyof the new Continental Army

Uniting for Independence Uniting for Independence cont.cont.

Independence (pgs. 45-47)Independence (pgs. 45-47) Thomas Thomas Paine’sPaine’s pamphlet titled pamphlet titled

CommonCommon SenseSense strengthened the strengthened the independence movement.independence movement.

He He arguedargued that the that the British monarchyBritish monarchy was a was a corruptcorrupt form of government form of government

He also argued that He also argued that King George IIIKing George III was an was an enemy to libertyenemy to liberty

Independence Cont.Independence Cont.

A committee of A committee of delegatesdelegates to the to the Philadelphia Congress, headed by Philadelphia Congress, headed by Thomas Thomas JeffersonJefferson, drafted the , drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776.Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence cont.cont.

The The DeclarationDeclaration set forth the set forth the principlesprinciples for for the the new nationnew nation..

The Declaration had three parts: The Declaration had three parts: 1.1. A A statement of purposestatement of purpose, including a description , including a description

of basic human rightsof basic human rights

2.2. A list of specific A list of specific complaintscomplaints against King against King George IIIGeorge III

3.3. A statement of the A statement of the colonists’ determinationcolonists’ determination to to separate from Great Britainseparate from Great Britain

Declaration Cont.Declaration Cont.

By the end of 1776, By the end of 1776, TenTen states had states had adopted written adopted written constitutionsconstitutions, which , which were based on the consent of the were based on the consent of the governed, governed, limited governmentlimited government, and , and the protection of the protection of individualindividual rights. rights.

All 10 states recognized the people as the All 10 states recognized the people as the sole source of authority in a limited sole source of authority in a limited government with only those government with only those powerspowers given given by the by the peoplepeople

Section 3-The Articles of Section 3-The Articles of ConfederationConfederation

Articles of Confederation definition

An agreement among the thirteen original states, approved in 1781, that provided a loose federal government before the present Constitution went into effect in 1789. There was no chief executive or judiciary, and the legislature of the Confederation had no authority to collect taxes.

Articles Cont.Articles Cont. Government Under the Articles (pg. Government Under the Articles (pg.

48)48) The nation’s The nation’s firstfirst government included a government included a

single-chambersingle-chamber Congress with limited Congress with limited powerspowers

Each of the Each of the 1313 states had states had one voteone vote in in Congress, but the government had no Congress, but the government had no executive branchexecutive branch

Articles Cont.Articles Cont.

Weaknesses of the ArticlesWeaknesses of the Articles The The CongressCongress had to depend on the had to depend on the

statesstates for for moneymoney and had no power to and had no power to collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce lawslaws

Weaknesses Cont.Weaknesses Cont.

AmendingAmending the Articles required the the Articles required the approvalapproval from from allall the states. the states.

The central The central governmentgovernment had no had no president or executive branch and president or executive branch and carried out much of its work through carried out much of its work through congressionalcongressional committees. committees.

Weaknesses Cont.Weaknesses Cont. There was There was nono system of system of national national

courtscourts

Instead state courts enforced and Instead state courts enforced and interpreted national interpreted national lawslaws

Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation Cont.Cont.

AchievementsAchievements Despite it Despite it weaknessesweaknesses, the , the

Confederation government established a Confederation government established a fair policy for developing fair policy for developing western landswestern lands..

The The Confederation governmentConfederation government signed signed the peace treaty with the peace treaty with EnglandEngland..

Final AchievementFinal Achievement

The Confederation government set The Confederation government set up several departments establishing up several departments establishing the precedent for the precedent for cabinet cabinet departmentsdepartments later mentioned in the later mentioned in the Constitution.Constitution.

Articles Cont.Articles Cont.

Needs for Stronger Government Needs for Stronger Government (pgs. 51-52)(pgs. 51-52) Soon after the Soon after the Revolutionary Revolutionary War, War,

disputes broke out among the states; disputes broke out among the states; the governments debt left soldiers the governments debt left soldiers unpaidunpaid..

Stronger Government Cont.Stronger Government Cont. Many were alarmed when an Many were alarmed when an

economic depression in 1786 led to economic depression in 1786 led to Shay’s RebellionShay’s Rebellion, an armed uprising , an armed uprising by Massachusetts by Massachusetts farmersfarmers who could who could not pay their not pay their debtsdebts..

Stronger Government Cont.Stronger Government Cont. Leaders whoLeaders who favored a favored a stronger stronger

government failed to accomplish government failed to accomplish much at the 1786 Annapolis much at the 1786 Annapolis Convention, but persuaded the Convention, but persuaded the Confederation Congress to call a Confederation Congress to call a conventionconvention in in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia to revise to revise the Articles of Confederation.the Articles of Confederation.

The Constitutional Convention The Constitutional Convention Section 4Section 4

The Convention Begins (pgs. 53-54)The Convention Begins (pgs. 53-54) The The delegatesdelegates to the Constitutional to the Constitutional

ConventionConvention had great practical had great practical experience in experience in politicspolitics and and governmentgovernment and included many of the and included many of the signerssigners of the of the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.Articles of Confederation.

The The delegatesdelegates held their meetings in held their meetings in secretsecret, deciding each state would have , deciding each state would have one one votevote, all decisions would be by , all decisions would be by majoritymajority vote, and a quorum of seven vote, and a quorum of seven states was required for all meetings.states was required for all meetings.

Convention Cont.Convention Cont.

The delegates The delegates decideddecided to give up the to give up the idea of revising the Articles of idea of revising the Articles of Confederation and to draft a Confederation and to draft a new new planplan of government about which they of government about which they sharedshared many ideas. many ideas.

Constitutional Convention Constitutional Convention Cont.Cont.

Decisions and Compromises (pgs. 54-Decisions and Compromises (pgs. 54-56)56) The The Virginia PlanVirginia Plan proposed a proposed a strongstrong

executive, a national judiciary, and a executive, a national judiciary, and a strong two-housestrong two-house legislature in which legislature in which the lower house would be chosen by the the lower house would be chosen by the people and the people and the upperupper house would be house would be chosen by the lower house. This plan chosen by the lower house. This plan favored the large, more favored the large, more populouspopulous states. states.

Decisions and Compromises Decisions and Compromises Cont.Cont.

The The New JerseyNew Jersey Plan proposed a Plan proposed a weak weak executiveexecutive of more than one person of more than one person elected by elected by CongressCongress, a national judiciary , a national judiciary with with limitedlimited powers, and a one-house powers, and a one-house legislature, with legislature, with oneone vote for each state. vote for each state. This favored the This favored the smallsmall states. states.

Compromises Cont.Compromises Cont. The The ConnecticutConnecticut Compromise proposed Compromise proposed

a legislative branch with two parts: a a legislative branch with two parts: a HouseHouse of of RepresentativesRepresentatives with state with state representation based on representation based on populationpopulation, and , and a a SenateSenate with two members from each with two members from each state, regardless of size. This state, regardless of size. This compromise gave the compromise gave the largelarge states an states an advantage in the advantage in the HouseHouse and protected and protected the smaller states in the the smaller states in the SenateSenate..

Compromises Cont.Compromises Cont. The The Three/FifthsThree/Fifths Compromise settled the issue Compromise settled the issue

of of representationrepresentation in the House of in the House of Representatives, counting three/fifths of Representatives, counting three/fifths of enslavedenslaved AfricansAfricans in determining the number in determining the number of a state’s representatives.of a state’s representatives.

The The CommerceCommerce and and Slave TradeSlave Trade Compromise Compromise allowed the slave trade to continue until allowed the slave trade to continue until 18081808. . Congress was forbidden to tax exports and was Congress was forbidden to tax exports and was granted power to granted power to regulateregulate both interstate both interstate commerce and trade with other nations.commerce and trade with other nations.

Compromises Cont.Compromises Cont.

Although many Although many NorthernNorthern delegates delegates wanted to wanted to endend slavery, they realized slavery, they realized that if they insisted on doing so, the that if they insisted on doing so, the SouthernSouthern states would never states would never acceptaccept the the ConstitutionConstitution and the nation would face and the nation would face an uncertain future. The Founders an uncertain future. The Founders compromisedcompromised and and refusedrefused to deal with to deal with slavery in the Constitution.slavery in the Constitution.

Compromise Cont.Compromise Cont. The The delegatesdelegates agreed to other agreed to other

compromisescompromises as well, including a as well, including a four-four-yearyear term of the president and an term of the president and an Electoral CollegeElectoral College rather than a direct rather than a direct election of the election of the presidentpresident..

Constitutional Convention Constitutional Convention Cont.Cont.

Ratifying the ConstitutionRatifying the Constitution SupportersSupporters and opponents of the and opponents of the

Constitution began a great Constitution began a great debatedebate over over whether to awhether to acceptccept or or rejectreject it. it.

The The FederalistsFederalists who urged who urged ratificationratification argued that a argued that a strongstrong national national government was badly needed to solve government was badly needed to solve the nation’s problems and to deal with the nation’s problems and to deal with foreignforeign countries; without the countries; without the ConstitutionConstitution, disorder or , disorder or anarchyanarchy would would undermine the nation.undermine the nation.

Ratifying Cont.Ratifying Cont.

The The Anti-Federalists Anti-Federalists who who opposedopposed ratification argued that the delegates had ratification argued that the delegates had drafted a Constitution in drafted a Constitution in secretsecret and had and had been given been given no powerno power to replace the to replace the Articles. They contended that the Articles. They contended that the Constitution took important powers away Constitution took important powers away from the states and lacked a from the states and lacked a Bill of RightsBill of Rights..

When the Federalists promised to When the Federalists promised to addadd a a Bill of Rights, and the small states Bill of Rights, and the small states learnedlearned more about the Connecticut more about the Connecticut CompromiseCompromise, , the battle over ratification was finally won.the battle over ratification was finally won.

Ratifying last slideRatifying last slide

The The newnew national national governmentgovernment was was launched in launched in 17891789 when Congress when Congress met for the first time in New York met for the first time in New York City.City.

Soon after that Soon after that George WashingtonGeorge Washington took the oath of office as took the oath of office as presidentpresident of of the United States.the United States.