The Roots of American The Roots of American GovernmentGovernment

ConstitutionConstitution

A plan of government = A plan of government = maps out the structures & maps out the structures & powers of govt.powers of govt.

Constitutional Constitutional GovernmentGovernment

Limited government based on Limited government based on the rule of law.the rule of law.

2 Types2 Types– written written – unwrittenunwritten

Written vs. Unwritten Written vs. Unwritten ConstitutionsConstitutions

WrittenWritten

Political StabilityPolitical Stability

Undergoes change Undergoes change very rarely.very rarely.

Controversial Controversial because of because of different different interpretations.interpretations.

UnwrittenUnwritten

Developed Developed through custom through custom & tradition& tradition

FlexibleFlexible

Does not clearly Does not clearly say govt. powerssay govt. powers

Characteristics of Characteristics of Colonial AmericaColonial America

Vast Land; diverse & expanding populationVast Land; diverse & expanding population

Colonies had own representative Colonies had own representative legislatureslegislatures

The South: Plantations & SlaveryThe South: Plantations & Slavery

North: Trade & EngineeringNorth: Trade & Engineering

What did the Founders What did the Founders Learn About Government?Learn About Government?

Classical philosophersClassical philosophers: humans are : humans are social & have obligations to their social & have obligations to their community = community = civic virtuecivic virtue

John Locke’s John Locke’s Natural RightsNatural Rights: all : all people are born with rights to life, people are born with rights to life, liberty, and property. People form liberty, and property. People form government to protect rights & government to protect rights & overthrow it when it failsoverthrow it when it fails

English historyEnglish history: : monarchy can evolve monarchy can evolve into a free government of the into a free government of the people.people.

American colonial historyAmerican colonial history: local self-: local self-govt. can coexist with a distant govt. can coexist with a distant central government, central government, – unrest can occur if people believe unrest can occur if people believe

central govt. is abusing its power.central govt. is abusing its power.

What forms of What forms of Government could the Government could the founders choose from?founders choose from?

Aristotle’s Forms of governmentAristotle’s Forms of government

Rule ofRule of Right Right FormForm

Corrupt Corrupt FormForm

OneOne MonarchyMonarchy TyrannyTyranny

FewFew AristocracAristocracyy

OligarchyOligarchy

ManyMany Polity* Polity* (mixed)(mixed)

Direct Direct DemocracDemocracyy

Polity: A Mixed ConstitutionPolity: A Mixed Constitution

Govt. ruled by both the rich and the poor Govt. ruled by both the rich and the poor

The basis of The basis of Classical RepublicanismClassical Republicanism

Influenced Renaissance and Influenced Renaissance and Enlightenment concept of Republicanism.Enlightenment concept of Republicanism.

Fits our modern definition of democracy.Fits our modern definition of democracy.

Montesquieu defined England Montesquieu defined England as a mixed constitution.as a mixed constitution. Glorious RevolutionGlorious Revolution (1688) made (1688) made

England a Constitutional Monarchy.England a Constitutional Monarchy.

House of LordsHouse of Lords = landed aristocracy, = landed aristocracy, held most power until mid-1800s.held most power until mid-1800s.

House of CommonsHouse of Commons = represented = represented the lower classes, but only upper- the lower classes, but only upper- middle class.middle class.

RRepublicepublic Representative government.Representative government.

Roman Republic had an unwritten Roman Republic had an unwritten mixed constitution after 287 BC.mixed constitution after 287 BC.

British Parliament & Colonial British Parliament & Colonial Assemblies were examples of Assemblies were examples of representative govts. representative govts.

SSo why didn’t the Founders o why didn’t the Founders want direct democracy?want direct democracy?

The Many would oppress the Few.The Many would oppress the Few.

Private Property wouldn’t be Private Property wouldn’t be protectedprotected

Representative govt. = many Representative govt. = many interestsinterests