Foundation of American Democracy: British Legacy
Foundation of American Democracy: British Legacy
How did British rule influence the creation of American democracy?
Who were the enlightenment thinkers, and how did they contribute to the US
Constitution?
Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon
Describe the cartoon? What does it
represent? What is the message
is the cartoonist trying to convey?
Foundation of US DemocracyFoundation of US Democracy
Magna Carta (1215) English nobles forced the
king John to obey laws. King had to consult with
council before raising taxes
Foundation of US DemocracyFoundation of US Democracy
Glorious Revolution (1689) Parliament overrode the king’s authority Parliament replaced King James II with
William and Mary of Orange In return, King William signed the British Bill of
Rights. Trial by jury Tax increases and raising an army required
Parliament’s approval
British legacyBritish legacy
13 English Colonies (1687-1776) Reasons for leaving
England Religious Persecution Poverty King sent people to
open trading post
British legacyBritish legacy
13 English Colonies (1687-1776) Established
Massachusetts- place of religious tolerance
Virginia- Jamestown was established as a port for the king
Pennsylvania- Place where religious and political outsiders could have their own place, far away from England
British LegacyBritish Legacy
Road to Revolution: Colonist grievances-
Taxation without representation
– Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townsend Act
Tyranny of the King-– Disbanded colonial
legislatures
– Sent troops to the colonies in time of peace
– Navigation Act
British LegacyBritish Legacy
Intolerable Acts-– Quartering of soldiers
– Shut down ports
– Town meetings only w/ permission
British legacyBritish legacy
Colonists respond First Continental
Congress (1774) Colonies agreed to
raise troops Boycott British trade Officially petition King
George
British legacyBritish legacy
Colonists respond Second Continental
Congress (1776) Preparing for war Established a
continental army Voted for free trade Declaration of
Independence adopted– Enumerated the
colonists major grievances
– Official separation from England
Creating a New GovernmentCreating a New Government
Articles of Confederation (1777) Strengths
States will respect other states public acts, records, and judicial proceedings
Give other state’s citizens the same rights of their own citizens
Return any state fugitive if requested to do so
Creating a New GovernmentCreating a New Government
Articles of Confederation (1777) Weaknesses
Lacked a chief executive No power to tax citizens directly Lacked power to draft men Absence of a national court system Amendments required unanimity Lacked power to collect state debt Cannot settle disputes between states New national laws had to be approved by 9 of 13 colonies
The Revision of the GovernmentThe Revision of the Government
Constitutional Convention of 1787 Purpose
Revise the Articles of Confederation Create a framework for national government Create a new set of laws that make the nation
strong, yet protect rights of states and citizens Create conditions for successful self governance
Struggle for PowerStruggle for Power
Competing Plans Virginia plan New Jersey Plan 3/5 Compromise The Connecticut
Compromise
Democracy and VirtueDemocracy and Virtue
Hamilton Jefferson
US Constitution (1787)US Constitution (1787)Fundamental
principlesDefinition Enlightenment
ThinkersSeparation of church and state
Popular sovereignty
Federalism
Limited government
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
Judicial review
Enlightenment Thinkers: Thoughts on Human Nature
Enlightenment Thinkers: Thoughts on Human Nature
Montesquieu Humans are not equal, especially women, but
they should participate in govt. Women are gentle and balanced
Locke Humans can reason; therefore we can self
govern and care for ourselves. The state and law of nature is based on
reason and equality.
Enlightenment ThinkersEnlightenment Thinkers
Hobbes Human nature is evil thus chaos exist To eliminate chaos, people give up freedom
for stability
Rousseau Humans are born good and compassionate Human nature is peaceful Corruption results from modern influences
QuizQuiz
How did England influence the US government, economy, and culture?