Origins of American Government
•Colonial Period•Uniting for Independence•The Articles of Confederation•The Constitutional Convention
Our Political Heritage (England)
Limited GovernmentRepresentative GovernmentWritten ConstitutionsSeparation of Powers
Learning Objectives
Identify 3 or more events in England that led to a shift in power between the King and the people
Name the 2 men whose philosophy of rights led the colonists’ path to independence
Explain “Salutory Neglect” and how it led to a feeling of self-government
Identify the 3 requirements of the King for the colonists to continue levels of self-government
The Colonial Period
An English Political Heritage Limited Government
Magna Charta - 1215
Creation of Parliament House of Lords - late 1200’s
Petition of Rights Parliament - 1628
English Bill of Rights 1689 - List of rights King expected to protect
Representative Government (Parliament) House of Commons
New Political Ideas Hobbes and Locke
The Colonies
Why did England want to claim the new world territories?
Imperialization – grow their empireRaw Materials
Why were the colonists allowed to self-govern, for the most part?
Geography “Salutory Neglect”
Quick Review
Identify 2 events that happened IN ENGLAND that led to a shift in power from the King towards the people.
What is “Salutory Neglect”Why were the colonists allowed some
level of self-government?What 3 things did the colonists need to
do to keep the King out of their business?
Colonial Governments Written Constitutions (a deal between colonists and crown)
A new philosophy of “Social Contract” taking hold Reaction to abuses of power by rulers Each colony had a constitution that outlined how the colonial
government would operate. Colonial Legislatures
Circumstances necessitated self-government Governmental leaders picked by Crown In a few colonies, leaders elected by settlers 3 requirements for self government
Remain Loyal Citizens Buy British Goods Provide Raw Materials
Separation of Powers Colonies set up governments that separated powers Branches of government Election of local representatives
Uniting for Independence
The Colonies on their OwnYears of “Salutory Neglect”
King George III
British Tighten Control King George III
Taxing the Colonies French-Indian War (1754-63)
* War between England and France over territory
* Very expensive war – taxes raised on English citizens
French and Indian War
England and the Colonies vs. French and the Indians
Colonial Unrest Stamp Act (“Taxation Without Representation”)
* Parliament raised taxes on colonists to help pay for French and Indian War
Townsend Act (Boston Massacre)* Passed to raise revenue and tighten customs enforcement
* Repealed after colonial uprising Tea Act (Boston Tea Party)
* Tax on Tea
* Monopoly given the East India Tea Company Intolerable Acts
* Reaction of England to the colonial uprisings
* A series of taxes on almost everything
* Boston Harbor closed to punish the leaders of the “Tea Party”
* Forbid local governmental meetings – disallowed self-government
* Instituted the Quartering Act
Colonial Unity
Taking Action
Boycotts The First Continental Congress - 1774
Three options* Just accept the King’s tighter rules and go on* Try to work with the King and find middle ground* Declare Independence (not ready yet)
Declaration of Rights and Grievances* attempt to settle disputes in a peaceful manner* King viewed as an act of TREASON
The Second Continental Congress - 1775 King’s reaction forced the hand of the leaders of the
colonists They either had to “cave in” or declare independence
Independence
Independence The Declaration of Independence - July 4, 1776 KEY PARTS of the Declaration
Declare Independence State Reason Set out Principles of the new government they hoped to
create The First State Constitutions
Declaration of Independence(group activity) p R39-R41
Group One (Preamble through Declaration of Natural Rights)
Group Two (List of Grievances – beginning thru “He has refused for a long time” paragraph)
Group Three (He has endeavoured through “For transporting us” paragraph)
Group Four (For Abolishing through “In every stage” paragraph)
Group Five (Nor have we through the end)
Declaration of Independence(group activity) p.R39-R41
Group One (Preamble through Declaration of Natural Rights)
Blake, Sebastian, Zach J, Taya
Group Two (List of Grievances – beginning thru “He has refused for a long time” paragraph)
Kasey, Mayo, Zach M, Emily
Group Three (He has endeavoured through “For transporting us” paragraph)
Molly, Chris, Shannon, Christina
Group Four (For Abolishing through “In every stage” paragraph)
Ryan, Kameron, Sadee, Lisa
Group Five (Nor have we through the end)
Garrett, Craig, Sierra, Abbey, Zach L
Example:
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another
There are times in history when citizens need to cut their political ties with their home country.
Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another; and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind require that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
The Articles of Confederation
Government Under the Articles of Confederation
Written during Revolutionary War Reactionary Government
Weaknesses of the Articles Intentionally weak central government No power over interstate commerce
Achievements National policy for western lands 1783 – Treaty of Paris formally ended Revolutionary War Creation of Departments of War, Treasury (setting
precedent) “Full Faith and Credit”
Articles of Confederation
Gov’t Could: Borrow or request money from
the states Declare war and peace Maintain an army and navy Make treaties and alliances with
other nations Regulate affairs with Native
Americans Establish post offices Decide certain disputes among
the states
Gov’t Could Not: Levy or Collect Taxes Require states to provide money
for running the national government
Regulate Trade Force anyone to abide by the law Amend the Articles without the
consent of all 13 states Establish an executive branch Establish a national court
The Articles of Confederation
The Need for a Stronger National Government
Growing Problems States began to quarrel Serious money problems (both federal and state)
Shays’ Rebellion (“A little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing”) Armed rebellion by farmers led by Daniel Shays over foreclosures
and unfair laws Rebellion stopped by state militia Unrest frightened American leaders
The Annapolis Convention Called to address problems Only 5 states attended (most saw as not in the state’s interest Called for another convention to “fix” the Articles of Confederation
The Constitutional Convention
The Convention Begins Organization
George Washington chosen to preside Each state would get one vote Simple majority to make decision No meeting without a quorum (half or more present)
Key Agreements Articles of Confederation could not be fixed A new government was needed Increased power of central government Power needed to be divided between 3 branches Power of states to coin money or interfere with creditor’s rights
would be limited Absolute Secrecy – 20 year code of silence
Quick Review
What were 2 things that began shifting the powers from the King to the people?
What were 2 events that happened in the colonies that pushed the colonists to independence?
What was the battle cry of the colonists who believed the King was abusing his power?
What was the first attempt of the colonists to peacefully work with the King to resolve their problems?
What body declared independence and acted as the first government of the US?
What is the name of the first written government? What was/were the major flaws in that government?
Philadelphia - 1787
The Constitutional Convention
Decisions and CompromisesThe Virginia Plan
Strong Central Government (bicameral legislature) Strong Executive chosen by the national legislature National Judiciary appointed by national legislature Representation based on population (favored large states)
The New Jersey Plan Small states feared Virginia Plan – would be overpowered by big
states Unicameral legislature – one vote per state (favored small states) Congress would have power to tax and regulate trade Weak executive – plural executive
The Great Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise Best of both plans 3 branches – bicameral legislature
* House of Representatives based on Population
* House would control all revenue laws
* Senate based on Equality* Senators selected by state
legislatures
Other CompromisesThe 3/5ths Compromise
Would the slaves be counted as part of representation?Commerce and the Slave Trade (north v. south)
Slavery, itself, might be a deal breaker Congress could not ban the slave trade for 20 years (S) Congress would get the power to regulate interstate
commerce (N) The refusal to deal with slavery once and for all left it as
a sore point for decades to come. Would eventually lead to the Civil War
Other Compromises How to elect the President (Electoral College) How long the President would serve (eventually agreed
to 4 year terms)
Ratifying the Constitution
Federalists and Anti-Federalists 9 out of 13 States The Great Debates
Federalists -- argued in favor of the Constitution Best that could be done
Antifederalists -- argued against the Constitution Too much power to the central government No Bill of Rights
Federalists
For a stronger central government as outlined in the Constitution
Backed by merchants, cities and coastal regions
Key Members: Alexander Hamilton James Madison John Jay George Washington
Antifederalists
Opposed to the new Constitution TOO MUCH POWER TO CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
Backed by inland farmers and laborers Criticized the secrecy of the convention NO BILL OF RIGHTS Key Members:
Patrick Henry Samuel Adams George Mason James Monroe
Federalists vs. Antifederalists
Ratification
Progress towards Ratification Federalist Papers State by state debates/votes
Delaware – 1st to Ratify When 9th state ratified, big states still out (New York, Virginia) New York debates
First act of Congress Wrote and passed the Bill of Rights
Review
Events in England that led to a shift in power Events in the Colonies that led towards independence
Actions of King/Parliament Reactions of Colonists
Articles of Confederation Weaknesses
The Constitutional Convention 3 plans Other compromises
Ratification Process Federalists Antifederalists
Essays (pick 2 and answer fully)
1) Why did the Founding Fathers feel independence was the ONLY option left to the colonies?
2) What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? Explain what the 3 major sections tried to accomplish.
3) The Bill of Rights became a key issue during the ratification process. Why was the Bill of Rights so important to the Anti-federalists? (why did they fight so hard to have it added to the Constitution)
4) Explain the Connecticut Compromise (or Great Compromise). What were the compromises made so it could be signed?