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Chapter 2THE REVOLUTION AND THE CONSTITUTION

American Political Development (APD) Focus

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United States Constitution

• The basis of U.S. government was a culmination of religious covenants, local compacts, and regional differences.

• Along with a developing American character, the Founding Fathers transformed a confederacy of colonies into a republic composed of independent states with written constitutions.

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Theoretical Basis

• The theoretical basis for the American system of government must be understood through examining

• the historical events, • theoretical reasoning, • political documents that influenced the principles of the U.S.

Constitution.

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American Constitutionalism

• The origin of American constitutionalism was based upon religious convictions enumerated within church charters or covenants.

• These covenants contained both individual rights and duties as well as promoting community norms.

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Early Agreements

• The Mayflower Compact of 1620 was the first document to create a government based upon the approval of the governed.

• The Plymouth Agreement created a representative government based upon established political institutions through consent of the community.

• The Providence Agreement of 1637, under the direction of Roger Williams, further defined the common good as contingent on popular sovereignty.

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Early Agreements

• The Settlers Upon the Piscataqua (1641)• Offered a secular as opposed to a spiritual basis for political

covenants.• Advanced a notion of governing according to compact.

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Settlers Upon the Piscataqua (1641)

• Document was significant to the development of the Constitution for several reasons:

• Signified a mutual agreement to establish a secular basis for government.

• Demonstrated that popular sovereignty was the basis for government.

• The momentum of American constitutionalism promoted the idea of representation in government.

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Emerging Constitutionalism

• The Laws and Liberties of Massachusetts—evolution from communitarian to legalistic perspective of politics

• The Pilgrim Code of Law in 1681• codified administrative practices• legislative requirements and duties of the General Court

• election cycles• the operations of political institutions.

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Regional Political Cultures

• Colonial constitutionalism was influenced by regional traditions

Three predominant colonial political subcultures were present with diverse views on the role of government and the composition of the governing group:

• Traditionalist• Individualistic• Moralistic

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Traditionalist Political Culture

• Associated with more homogenous Southern colonies • Viewed government as paternalistic • Simplified rural based politics promoting limited

government.• Instituted to support the aristocracy, i.e. landed gentry

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Individualistic Political Culture

• In the mid-Atlantic states • Valued competition • Largely advocated minimal government intervention in

economic matters and advanced the notion of utilitarianism

• Complex urban-based politics built around pluralistic interests producing a mix of limited and big government perspectives.

• Political participation was concentrated among men of commerce but there were also property requirements to hold public office

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Moralistic Political Culture

• The New England colonies • A strong communitarian belief that the role of

government should be to advance the needs of the community over personal self-interest.

• Mix of mercantile and small farm agrarianism causing a statist based politics that promoted high government intervention in economy and society.

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State Constitutions

• The state constitutions represented the various regional differences regarding the scope and composition of government.

• However, there were similarities among the state constitutions:

• bicameral legislature• popular elections of the lower house• enfranchisement of white adult males• popular elections for the office of governor,• an elimination of religious provisions from politics• recognition of inalienable rights