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?