Founding doc powerpoint
Transcript of Founding doc powerpoint
The American RevolutionThe American Revolution
Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of IndependenceHas three partsHas three partsNatural RightsNatural Rights::
purpose of government is to protect inalienable rights
rights that all people have
List of wrongs: by the British that led to the
Colonies to break awayIndependence:
announces that colonies are a free and independent nation, The United States of America
Celebrating the signingCelebrating the signing
1783-Treaty of Paris1783-Treaty of Paris• Granted independence• Ended the War• Set boundaries of new nation
THE EARLY REPUBLICTHE EARLY REPUBLIC
1781-18011781-1801
• Colonists came to America with concepts of :
• limited government– not all powerful, not
Absolute
• Representative government
• Ordered government– no government official
is above the law
Rights of EnglishmenRights of Englishmen• Magna Carta-1215
– King cannot tax or declare war without permission of the Nobles– cannot imprison without a jury trial/due process
• The Petition of Right-1628– protection of civil liberties – no taxation without consent of Parliament
• The Habeas Corpus Act-1679– prevent arbitrary arrest and imprisonment
• English Bill of Rights-1689– prevents abuse by monarchs and guarantees citizens rights
The idea of guaranteeing individual The idea of guaranteeing individual rights developed over time, 1215 – rights developed over time, 1215 – 16891689
Not just with the Bill of RightsNot just with the Bill of Rights
Articles of Confederation• Ran 1781-88• First constitution of the United
States – Provided for a weak central
government – Could tax but could not enforce – Could declare War– States held most power
• 13 separate governments• Mainly a defensive pact
Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation
• 1783-17891783-1789 known as known as “The Critical Period”“The Critical Period”• Nation nearly failed• New constitution was needed
Shay’s RebellionShay’s Rebellion
• Daniel Shays– led a rebellion by
farmers against unfair economic conditions and laws.
• Showed that the Government was ineffective• US political leadership realized something had to be
done
Constitutional Convention-1787 Constitutional Convention-1787 PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia
12/13 States attend (Rhode Island did not)
Convened to Strengthen Convened to Strengthen The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation
• Realized early that a new system of government was needed
• Decided to meet in secret sessions
• George Washington-President of the convention
““Father of the Constitution”Father of the Constitution”
• James Madison– considered best
prepared delegate,– led many discussions– made many
proposals– Made daily notes
3 Key conflicts to resolve3 Key conflicts to resolve
• led to concepts of:• Separation of powers
– Created 3 branches of government• Legislative, Executive, Judicial
Branch• each Branch has its own power
and responsibility• Checks and Balances
– Maintains the separation of powers
– Each Branch has some control over other two
– No Branch in total control• President can veto laws,
Congress can over-ride veto
#1 - Strong Central Government vs. Weak Central Government
#2 - How to decide representation#2 - How to decide representation
• Large States vs. Small States• New Jersey Plan – each State represented equally, unicameral
congress• Virginia Plan – Representation by population, bicameral congress
• Resulted in the Great Compromise– bicameral congress/lower house based on
population/upper house equal representation– Both houses had to agree before something is
done.
#3 - North vs. South
• The 3/5’s Compromise – three out of five slaves would be counted for
representation and taxation
• Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise – congress could regulate trade – slave trade to be outlawed in 20 years (1808)
Ratification ProcessRatification Process• Acceptance needed for new
constitution to be enforced• Approval by 9 of 13 States
needed • 1st political parties formed
– Federalist – For– Anti-Federalist – Opposed,
wanted rights guaranteed• 1791 – Bill Of rights Added,
protection of individual rights
Federalist PapersFederalist Papers
• Series of essays written by Hamilton, Madison, John Jay– Reasons why Constitution
should be approved
• Collected and published in book form in New York – to convince people of New
York to support new constitution
Signing the ConstitutionSigning the Constitution
The ConstitutionThe Constitution
• The Supreme Law of the Land– establish legitimacy, right
to rule– Establishes “Popular
Sovereignty”• the people have the
final authority in government
StructureStructure
• Preamble – introduction/purpose of Constitution
• Articles (7) – rules/powers
• Amendments - 27 – 1-10 are the Bill of Rights– 13-15 are the Civil War Amendments – 16-27 are the 20th century amendments
• protects our individual rights• Added to appease the Anti-Federalists
Launching the New NationLaunching the New Nation
• George elected first President, 1789-1796
• New York City first capital city
• Built the Executive Branch
• Created the first cabinet – Assist, advise the
President
• served two terms (8 years) and stepped down– every President after
followed his example
• Farewell Address:– advises U.S. to stay
out foreign affairs, stay neutral.
John Adams elected 2nd President, John Adams elected 2nd President, 1797-18001797-1800
• very blunt, impatient–not very popular
• Fought a Quasi (partial) naval war with France– lasted two years
• Alien-Sedition Acts, 1798• allowed President to
deport or jail any alien considered to be undesirable or
• expressing “false, scandalous, malicious statements against the Government
• Resulted in two States nullifying the Act as unconstitutional