Class Starter Look at your Unit I Plan

Using a highlighter, identify the target(s) or “I can” statements that we cover.

“I can” statements will be your test!

“The State”What are the four characteristics of a

state? Nations, countries, and states all refer

to the same thing! In order to be a “state”, you must have

four things: Territory Population Sovereignty (ability to make own laws) Government

What are the four theories of the Origin of the State?

Major Political Ideas (Origin of the State)

Force Theory: 1 person/group forces power and submission of other people

Evolutionary Theory: State developed naturally out of the “Family.” Head of Family Head of Government

Divine Right Theory: Ordained by God God gave them the right to rule

Social Contract Theory: State exists to serve the will of the people People are the source of power – free

to give or withhold power

Traditional Forms of Government

Feudalism: People are bound to a King (loyal) and in return King provides protection

Absolute Monarchy: King/Queen has total control of military and government

Authoritarianism: unlimited amount of power, no restraints on power of government

Despotism: absolute power/tyrannical rule (tyrant)

Liberal Democracy: Protects individual rights; consent of the governed

Totalitarianism: controls all facets of life

Democracy Of the people, for the people

(People are source of power) Equal rights (protection of

rights) Representative government

Dictatorship Not responsible for policies Autocracy/Oligarchy Authoritarian – absolute power One leader (Despot) Governs without consent of the

people

Unitary Centralized government (one

unit) Limited local government One legislature (created by

constitution)

Federal Division of powers Central & Local Governments

(National, State, and Local Government)

Each have own set of powers Separation of Powers (3

branches)

Confederate Limited powers – only handles

matters that member states assign to it

Central organization – alliance of individual states

No power to make laws that apply to individual states

Come together for a common cause

Presidential Two branches are equal and

separate Executive Branch led by

President Executive & Legislative branches

are popularly elected

Parliamentary Executive and Legislative branch

are combined Executive must answer to

Parliament (Legislature) Executive (Prime Minister) is

elected by Parliament (Legislature)

Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Wonder Woman, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, James Madison

English Colonists brought ordered, limited, and representative government Ordered: Justice of the Peace,

Sheriff, Counties, etc. Limited: Restricted power and

individual rights Representative: Government

serves the will of the people

Influential Documents Magna Carta (1215): granted

Englishmen certain rights (trial by jury, protection of property, etc.) Power of the monarchy was not absolute

The Petition of Right (1628): limited kings power

The English Bill of Rights (1689): written to prevent abuses by the King/Queen (right to a fair trial, no excessive bail, no cruel and unusual punishment)

John Locke Natural Rights:

rights inherent in human beings (life, liberty & property)

Consent of the Governed: government gets its authority from the people

Limited Government: restrictions should be placed on the government to protect the natural rights of the people

Comparisons – Natural Rights “The state of

nature has a law to govern it”

“Life, Liberty and property”

“Laws of Nature and Nature’s God”

“Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness”Thomas

Jefferson – Declaration

of Independenc

e

John Locke

2.4 – CREATING A CONSTITUTION

Need for a Stronger Government Philadelphia Convention, May,

1787 Delegates agreed to create a

new government 55/74 delegates attended, 12/13

States attended Framers (all had distinguished

backgrounds and most had education)

Independence Hall – Sworn to Secrecy – Extremely HOT!

Virginia Plan 3 Branches (Legislative,

Executive, & Judicial) Legislative: Bicameral,

decided by population & monetary contributions, House – popular election, Senate – House elected

New Jersey Plan 3 Branches (Legislative,

Executive, & Judicial) Legislative: Unicameral, Each state has equal representation

How should the States be represented in Congress?

Connecticut Compromise Bicameral Legislature: House –

Population, Senate – equal representation

Sources of the Constitution British tradition, State

Governments, and John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government

Date Finished: September 17, 1787 Federalists

vs. Favored

ratification Madison &

Hamilton Federalist

Papers

Anti-Federalists Opposed

ratification Jefferson Believed

National Government was too powerful

Wanted Bill of Rights

September 13, 1788: 11/13 States ratified the Constitution

New York City – Capital, Congress located on Wall Street

April 30, 1789: George Washington took the oath of office