Bell RingerWhich historical

document were you assigned last class?

Describe it in 2-3 sentences!

Bell RingerWhat are some just and unjust rules here Rocky?Why are these just and unjust and how would

you productively change them?

Bell RingerList the historical

documents we discussed last class period. Then, write down a couple of

words to help you remember each

document.

Origins of American Government

The English colonists in America brought with them three main

concepts:

Basic Concepts of Government

• The need for ordered government.

• The idea of limited government, that is, that government should not be all-powerful.

• The concept of representative government, a government that serves the will of the people.

The English Colonies

• All unique characteristics shaped by English origins

• Three different Charters:

1. Royal Colonies• Bicameral

2. Proprietary Colonies

• Unicameral

3. Charter Colonies

3. The Stamp Act Congress• 1765 - group of colonies sent delegates

to the Stamp Act Congress in New York• Prepared Declaration of Rights and

Grievances against British policies and sent it to the king

2. The Albany Plan• 1754 - Benjamin

Franklin proposes Plan

• Annual congress of delegates from each of the 13 colonies would be formed

Growing Colonial Unity1. New England Confederation

• In 1643, several New England settlements formed the New England Confederation.

4. First Continental Congress

• The colonists sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III

• The delegates urged colonies to refuse trade with England until British tax and trade regulations were repealed

• 1775 - 13 colonies sent representatives to gathering in Philadelphia

• Served as first government of the United States from 1776 to 1781

5. Second Continental Congress

On July 4, 1776, the Second

Continental Congress

adopted the Declaration of Independence

6. American Independence

The Articles of ConfederationPowers

1. Declare war2. National finance

issues3. Settle disputes

among the StatesObligations

States promised to…1. Obey Congress2. Respect the laws of

the other States

Most other powers were retained by each

State

A Call for a Stronger Government

• 1785 - Representatives from Maryland and Virginia met at Mount Vernon, Virginia to discuss trade issues

• Virginia General Assembly requested meeting of all thirteen States

– AKA - the Constitutional Convention

Leaders of the Philadelphia Convention

• James Madison: co-author of the Articles of Confederation

• Gouverneur Morris: Lawyer, helped develop the U.S. system of money

• Alexander Hamilton: was a lawyer who favored a strong central government

• George Washington: was the successful leader of the Continental Army

Some famous leaders who were NOT at the Philadelphia Convention

Patrick Henry said he “smelt a rat” and refused to attend.

Samuel Adams and John Hancock were not selected as delegates by their states.

Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine were in Paris.

• John Adams was on diplomatic missions to England and Holland.

Exit TicketList 4 key

events led up to the

Declaration of Independence?

Exit TicketWhat events

made it difficult to finalize the

Declaration?

Bell RingerWhat is an

ideal of government

located in the Declaration of Independence?