Pete Simoncini Pete Simoncini

Welcome one and all to Welcome one and all to our class. To begin this our class. To begin this semester’s instruction, semester’s instruction, let’s review the course let’s review the course website and syllabus.website and syllabus.

To ease out of the vacation To ease out of the vacation mode. . .mode. . .

You may work alone or with a partner You may work alone or with a partner Most of our classes will be Most of our classes will be

discussion-based. However, discussion-based. However, tonight I shall provide a tonight I shall provide a

background lecture background lecture summarizing some of the summarizing some of the

issues covered in Chapter 1 issues covered in Chapter 1 and giving a brief historical and giving a brief historical

background of American background of American government.government.

And back into the learning And back into the learning mode, we shall now have a mode, we shall now have a short diagnostic test about short diagnostic test about

American government.American government.

What nations sought to colonize the New World?What nations sought to colonize the New World?What type governments did these nations have? What type governments did these nations have?

Divine Right of KingsDivine Right of Kings

Belief that monarchs chosen byBelief that monarchs chosen by God; thus only responsible to GodGod; thus only responsible to God

Belief held in continental EuropeBelief held in continental Europe

Kings had absolute power—greaterKings had absolute power—greater power over nobility.power over nobility.

Henry II (1154-1189)Henry II (1154-1189)Trial by juryTrial by jury—no —no more more courts of feudal courts of feudal lords (i.e. trial by lords (i.e. trial by combat)combat)12 men answered questions about case12 men answered questions about case

Did not decide innocence or guiltDid not decide innocence or guilt

Judges’ decisionsJudges’ decisions used as precedence used as precedence

Common lawCommon law—reflected customs and —reflected customs and principles established over timeprinciples established over time

King JohnKing John

Unpopular brother of Unpopular brother of Richard Lion HeartedRichard Lion Hearted

Tried to raise taxes to pay for war Tried to raise taxes to pay for war withwithFrance (unsuccessful) France (unsuccessful) Noblemen rebelledNoblemen rebelled

Source of theSource of thetraditional British respect for traditional British respect for individual rights and liberties individual rights and liberties

Magna Carta (1215)Magna Carta (1215)

MagnaMagna CartaCartaContract between king and noblesContract between king and noblesLimited power of monarch—had to ruleLimited power of monarch—had to rule according to lawsaccording to lawsTaxes could only be levied based onTaxes could only be levied based on “ “common consent of our kingdom”common consent of our kingdom” over time: through Parliament.over time: through Parliament.Right to Right to due processdue process (have law work in (have law work in known & orderly ways). Protection ofknown & orderly ways). Protection of the law & jury trialsthe law & jury trials

Edward IEdward I

Needed funds for war Needed funds for war with France (1295)with France (1295)

Wanted wide support: called meeting ofWanted wide support: called meeting of all nobles, knights and burgessesall nobles, knights and burgesses

““What affects all, by all should beWhat affects all, by all should be approved.”approved.”

Convened the Convened the Model ParliamentModel Parliament—voted—voted on taxes, made reforms and laws.on taxes, made reforms and laws.

Parliament by mid-1300sParliament by mid-1300s

House of LordsHouse of Lords House of CommonsHouse of Commons

Nobles & bishopsNobles & bishops Knights & burgessesKnights & burgesses

Further limited power of the monarch andFurther limited power of the monarch and established principle of representation.established principle of representation.

Controlled purse Controlled purse stringsstrings

Bicameral legislature Bicameral legislature

Divine Right of KingsDivine Right of Kings

Belief that monarchs chosen byBelief that monarchs chosen by God; thus only responsible to GodGod; thus only responsible to God

Belief held in continental EuropeBelief held in continental Europe

Kings had absolute power—greaterKings had absolute power—greater power over nobility.power over nobility.

Belief held by James I (Stuarts of Scotland)Belief held by James I (Stuarts of Scotland) successor to Elizabeth I.successor to Elizabeth I.

James I James I (Stuart)(Stuart)Puritans wanted to change (or Puritans wanted to change (or

purify) Church of England’s rites, purify) Church of England’s rites, doctrines & ceremonies through doctrines & ceremonies through legislation.legislation.

Royal court was the Star Chamber—Royal court was the Star Chamber— ignoring parliamentary courts whichignoring parliamentary courts which used common law. (Considered a tyrant.)used common law. (Considered a tyrant.)

Needed money: tried to raise it withoutNeeded money: tried to raise it without approval of Parliament.approval of Parliament.

Charles I (Stuart)Charles I (Stuart)

Succeeded James I in 1625Succeeded James I in 1625Asked Parliament for money Asked Parliament for money (via taxes)(via taxes)

•Taxing without Parliament’s consentTaxing without Parliament’s consent•Imprisoning citizens illegallyImprisoning citizens illegally•Housing troops in private homesHousing troops in private homes•Military government in peacetimeMilitary government in peacetime

In exchange, Parliament forced In exchange, Parliament forced Charles to accept the Charles to accept the Petition of Petition of RightRight, which , which demanded an end todemanded an end to::

Oliver CromwellOliver CromwellCharles signed petition of right Charles signed petition of right then ignored it. Disbanded then ignored it. Disbanded Parliament 1629-1640Parliament 1629-1640

Cromwell establishes a republic: theCromwell establishes a republic: the Commonwealth of EnglandCommonwealth of EnglandParliament did not enact religious, socialParliament did not enact religious, social and economic reforms he wanted.and economic reforms he wanted.

Dissolved Parliament 1653—Lord Protector Dissolved Parliament 1653—Lord Protector

English Civil War—Charles loses and isEnglish Civil War—Charles loses and is executed.executed.

The RestorationThe Restoration

Cromwell’s authoritarian rule unpopular.Cromwell’s authoritarian rule unpopular.

Successor, Richard Cromwell (son), weakSuccessor, Richard Cromwell (son), weakParliament restored monarchy andParliament restored monarchy andCharles Stuart (Charles II) became Charles Stuart (Charles II) became kingkingParliament retained its powers pre- Parliament retained its powers pre- Cromwell Cromwell

1679: 1679: Habeas Corpus AmendmentHabeas Corpus Amendment Act (You are ordered to have the Act (You are ordered to have the body)body)

William & MaryWilliam & MaryParliament withdrew Parliament withdrew support from successor support from successor to Charles II, James IIto Charles II, James II

Mary Stuart and William of Orange becameMary Stuart and William of Orange became co-rulers of England 1689co-rulers of England 1689Glorious Revolution—turning point inGlorious Revolution—turning point in English constitutional history.English constitutional history.With monarch’s power limited by theWith monarch’s power limited by the Parliament, a constitutional monarchyParliament, a constitutional monarchy

English Bill of Rights--1689English Bill of Rights--1689Formal summary of the rights and Formal summary of the rights and liberties considered essential.liberties considered essential.Limited Limited monarch’smonarch’s power powerFree speech Free speech in Parliamentin ParliamentParliament had to approve anyParliament had to approve any suspension of laws, taxes or suspension of laws, taxes or forming of a peacetime army.forming of a peacetime army.No excessive bail or cruel/unusualNo excessive bail or cruel/unusual punishmentpunishmentFrequent meetings of ParliamentFrequent meetings of Parliament

How would you summarize the history How would you summarize the history of of English government that we have English government that we have covered covered thus far?thus far?Movement toward a republican form of gov’t Movement toward a republican form of gov’t

Establishment of more individual rights Establishment of more individual rights Movement toward more limited Movement toward more limited government government

Some attempt at separation of powers Some attempt at separation of powers within within the government & checks and balancesthe government & checks and balances

Movement toward more popular sovereignty Movement toward more popular sovereignty

These are all fundamental precepts of the U. S. These are all fundamental precepts of the U. S. Constitution. But there is one more very importantConstitution. But there is one more very importantone. Does anyone know what it is?one. Does anyone know what it is?

Hey, Simoncini. This is Hey, Simoncini. This is all nice stuff. But this all nice stuff. But this

course is supposed to be course is supposed to be about United States about United States

government. How does government. How does it all apply to how OUR it all apply to how OUR

government came government came about?about?Good point, Mr. President. Good point, Mr. President.

All of that information is All of that information is important background, as important background, as our government is derived our government is derived

largely from the English largely from the English tradition. But, you are tradition. But, you are

right. Let’s now look at the right. Let’s now look at the roots of American roots of American

government.government.

Different colonies:Different colonies: different reasons for different reasons for colonizing.colonizing.

Virginia: Virginia: economic economic

Plymouth/Mass. Bay:Plymouth/Mass. Bay:religious freedomreligious freedom

Georgia: Georgia: a refuge for debtors;a refuge for debtors;military buffermilitary buffer

PA & NY: debt from PA & NY: debt from Charles II to backers Charles II to backers

Colonial governments—at first little interference Colonial governments—at first little interference from England from England

Chesapeake: at first, almost military Chesapeake: at first, almost military

After riches After riches

John Smith: took charge to John Smith: took charge to save the colonysave the colony..

Owned by a Joint Stock Owned by a Joint Stock Company (corporation): Company (corporation): a proprietary colonya proprietary colony

Later, the JCS appointed a governor Later, the JCS appointed a governor

July 30, 1619—first meeting of House of BurgessesJuly 30, 1619—first meeting of House of Burgesses

Make local laws that could be vetoed by either Make local laws that could be vetoed by either the governor or the Board of Directors in the governor or the Board of Directors in England England

First legislative assembly in America First legislative assembly in America

Plymouth Plantation/Massachusetts Bay Plymouth Plantation/Massachusetts Bay

Religious freedomReligious freedom

Theocracy: oligarchy (rule Theocracy: oligarchy (rule of a few) run by church of a few) run by church leadersleaders

Roger Williams rebelled, Roger Williams rebelled, promoted separation of promoted separation of church and state; banished;church and state; banished;escaped and founded escaped and founded Rhode Island Rhode Island

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania

Granted by Charles II to Granted by Charles II to William Penn, Sr. in repayment William Penn, Sr. in repayment for assistance during Civil War for assistance during Civil War Along with New York (New Along with New York (New Jersey) and the Carolinas, Jersey) and the Carolinas, known as a known as a Restoration ColonyRestoration Colony

Penn willed to his son, William, a Quaker, who Penn willed to his son, William, a Quaker, who established an open colony with universal male established an open colony with universal male citizenship/suffrage. A proprietary colony—loose citizenship/suffrage. A proprietary colony—loose association with the Crown association with the Crown

From beginning, allFrom beginning, all colonies had a governor colonies had a governor

Mercantilism—colonies Mercantilism—colonies as a means to national as a means to national wealth wealth

Eventually, all colonies Eventually, all colonies converted to royal converted to royal colonies, with governors colonies, with governors appointed by king/appointed by king/ parliament parliament

New England-- New England-- mountainous, rocky soil, mountainous, rocky soil, fishing, lumber, crafts fishing, lumber, crafts

The South— The South— warm, moist warm, moist climate; mostly climate; mostly agricultural economy with agricultural economy with crops that grew well in that crops that grew well in that climate; slave-based economyclimate; slave-based economy

The colonies also had different economic The colonies also had different economic activities as well as geographic aspects activities as well as geographic aspects

Navigation Acts: 1650-1696—Parliament passed Navigation Acts: 1650-1696—Parliament passed laws forcing all commodities from colonies to laws forcing all commodities from colonies to pass through England on English ships pass through England on English ships

England’s American colonies began to be England’s American colonies began to be economically profitable economically profitable

tobacco, rice, indigo, fish, lumber, crafts, other tobacco, rice, indigo, fish, lumber, crafts, other commodities commodities

Parliament appointedParliament appointed governors, customs officers, governors, customs officers, other other officials to enforce Navigation Actsofficials to enforce Navigation Acts

From 1650 to 1763, many “appointed” officials From 1650 to 1763, many “appointed” officials

Purchased their commissions for selves or Purchased their commissions for selves or relatives relatives

Then stayed in England, sending “proxy” officials Then stayed in England, sending “proxy” officials to represent them in the colonies to represent them in the colonies

Proxies were poorly paid and resorted to Proxies were poorly paid and resorted to corrupt and extracurricular business dealingscorrupt and extracurricular business dealings

Spent much time “away” from jobs Spent much time “away” from jobs

Meanwhile . . . Meanwhile . . .

Colonies needed governing—Colonies needed governing—laws, police, laws, police, transportation networks, public servicestransportation networks, public services

Following English political tradition,Following English political tradition, colonial colonial legislatures, legislatures, in place in all of the colonies,in place in all of the colonies, began began going around the governors and other going around the governors and other officials andofficials and “taking charge.” “taking charge.”

Popular with the people—enjoyed the idea of Popular with the people—enjoyed the idea of self-governance, but still considered them-self-governance, but still considered them-selves loyal subjects of the King selves loyal subjects of the King

But, governance limited to But, governance limited to individual coloniesindividual colonies

In fact, due to differences in economics, political In fact, due to differences in economics, political differences, social differences differences, social differences (Southern (Southern aristocracy versus egalitarian New England, for aristocracy versus egalitarian New England, for example),example), other differencesother differences, significant distrust , significant distrust and dislike of colonies and colonial assemblies and dislike of colonies and colonial assemblies for other colonies for other colonies

Absolutely no thought of uniting into one Absolutely no thought of uniting into one comprehensive group of colonies. Rather all comprehensive group of colonies. Rather all saw themselves as separate entities saw themselves as separate entities

One reason for early attempts at One reason for early attempts at unification: security from Native unification: security from Native Americans Americans

1643: 1643: New England ConfederationNew England Confederation New England colonies agreed to work New England colonies agreed to work together to defend against Native together to defend against Native American attacksAmerican attacks or attacks by Dutch or attacks by Dutch settlers in what is today New Yorksettlers in what is today New YorkFew powers and little cooperation Few powers and little cooperation because of disagreements; ended 1684 because of disagreements; ended 1684

17541754: Meeting of representatives of 7 : Meeting of representatives of 7 British colonies and leaders of the British colonies and leaders of the Iroquois Nation in Albany, New York to Iroquois Nation in Albany, New York to plan defense against possible attacks plan defense against possible attacks from French and Native American allies from French and Native American allies (French & Indian War)(French & Indian War)At the meetingAt the meeting, Benjamin Franklin , Benjamin Franklin proposed the proposed the Albany PlanAlbany Plan of of Union,Union, that would include athat would include a council of colony council of colony representatives that could levy representatives that could levy taxes and raise an armytaxes and raise an army as well as well asas regulate regulate trade with Native Americanstrade with Native AmericansRejected by colonial governmentsRejected by colonial governments

System of proxy British officials and powerful System of proxy British officials and powerful colonial legislatures continued until the French colonial legislatures continued until the French and Indian War—extension of Seven Years War and Indian War—extension of Seven Years War

Although a victory, the war caused conflict and Although a victory, the war caused conflict and animosity between colonists and British animosity between colonists and British

The war nearly bankrupted the British governmentThe war nearly bankrupted the British governmentParliament decided to strictly enforce the Parliament decided to strictly enforce the Navigation ActsNavigation ActsAppointed officials must serve at their posts Appointed officials must serve at their posts Colonial legislatures lost substantial power Colonial legislatures lost substantial power

Proclamation of 1763 Proclamation of 1763

Taxes via Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts,Taxes via Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Acts,Coercive (Intolerable) Acts, etc. passed by Coercive (Intolerable) Acts, etc. passed by Parliament in England and paid by colonists Parliament in England and paid by colonists

Angered colonial legislatures, but Angered colonial legislatures, but

Still considered themselves loyal to King Still considered themselves loyal to King

Still distrustful of other colonies Still distrustful of other colonies

First Continental Congress of 1774—first meeting First Continental Congress of 1774—first meeting of all colonies (56 delegates)of all colonies (56 delegates)

Even with the fighting of the American Revolution Even with the fighting of the American Revolution

And the Declaration of Independence And the Declaration of Independence

Colonies still distrusted one another and, Colonies still distrusted one another and, because of their dislike of the King and because of their dislike of the King and Parliament as the war went on, colonial Parliament as the war went on, colonial legislative leaders highly distrusted a strong legislative leaders highly distrusted a strong central government for the new United States central government for the new United States

Led to the Articles of Confederation Led to the Articles of Confederation

Early American Political Tradition Early American Political Tradition

Reflective of years of English political tradition Reflective of years of English political tradition

Power of colonial legislatures and distrust of a Power of colonial legislatures and distrust of a monarch and desire for popular sovereignty monarch and desire for popular sovereignty Weak national governmentWeak national government with most power with most power to the statesto the states—so the early USA was a loose —so the early USA was a loose confederation of states confederation of states Almost led to defeat in the Revolution Almost led to defeat in the Revolution George Washington adamant in calling for a George Washington adamant in calling for a strong national governmentstrong national government