Unit 2: Unit 2: History of United History of United

States Government States Government

Our English Our English HeritageHeritage

• Delegates turned to their British Delegates turned to their British heritage and adopted many heritage and adopted many principles of government from principles of government from England. England.

English Ideas on English Ideas on GovernmentGovernment• Ordered governmentOrdered government

• Limited governmentLimited government• Representative Representative

GovernmentGovernment

English English Heritage Heritage •Beginning– King gave large Beginning– King gave large

grants of land to individuals grants of land to individuals who obeyed himwho obeyed him

•The kings rules started to get The kings rules started to get strict and he wanted the strict and he wanted the nobles to pay taxes nobles to pay taxes

MAGNA CARTAMAGNA CARTA• Magna CartaMagna Carta—”Great Charter”—document that —”Great Charter”—document that

the nobles forced King John to sign the nobles forced King John to sign – Include their rights Include their rights – Admitted that the king’s powers were Admitted that the king’s powers were

limitedlimited– King also had to obey lawsKing also had to obey laws

•English nobles (barons) rebelledEnglish nobles (barons) rebelled–King admitted that his power King admitted that his power was was LIMITEDLIMITED & that he must & that he must OBEYOBEY the laws too! the laws too!

““Great Charter”Great Charter” • Guaranteed that free people could not Guaranteed that free people could not

be arrested, put in prison, or forced to be arrested, put in prison, or forced to leave their nation unless they were leave their nation unless they were given a trail by a jury of their peers given a trail by a jury of their peers

• Guaranteed that the citizens of Guaranteed that the citizens of England were to be judged according England were to be judged according to English Law only. to English Law only.

• Protected the rights of Parliament Protected the rights of Parliament against monarch against monarch

ENGLISH PARLIAMENTENGLISH PARLIAMENT•King Henry began meeting King Henry began meeting w/ group who advised him w/ group who advised him and helped him govern and helped him govern (Parliament)(Parliament)

•ParliamentParliament—law making —law making body of Great Britain, is body of Great Britain, is bicameral (House of bicameral (House of Lords, appointed by the Lords, appointed by the monarch, and House of monarch, and House of Commons, elected by the Commons, elected by the people people

Parliamentary Parliamentary Government Government

•Each house can Each house can check the work of check the work of the other housethe other house•King still ruled but King still ruled but Parliament did the Parliament did the daily governingdaily governing!!

Petition of RightPetition of Right• 1628: Charles I forced to sign 1628: Charles I forced to sign

Petition of RightPetition of Right• Limited king’s power once againLimited king’s power once again

English Bill of English Bill of RightsRights (1689) (1689) gave Parl gave Parl

sole power sole power to:to:–make make lawslaws–raise raise taxestaxes–control control the armythe army

English laws & const English laws & const were not written were not written

down!down!•The monarch could make and change laws The monarch could make and change laws at its willat its will

• Judges would look at earlier case to see how Judges would look at earlier case to see how it was ruled to make their decisions it was ruled to make their decisions (Precedent) (Precedent)

•Common law: system of laws based on Common law: system of laws based on precedentsprecedents

John LockeJohn Locke • Locke: Locke: –gov’t by consent of the governedgov’t by consent of the governed–natural rights: life, liberty & natural rights: life, liberty & property, inalienable rights property, inalienable rights (can’t be taken away)(can’t be taken away)

– social contract: people had to social contract: people had to give up certain rights in societygive up certain rights in society

– If gov’t didn’t protect rights, If gov’t didn’t protect rights, then people had the right to then people had the right to rebelrebel

The ColoniesThe Colonies

• ColonyColony—a group of people in one —a group of people in one place who are ruled by place who are ruled by government of another placegovernment of another place

• Colonists brought the system of Colonists brought the system of common law with them to common law with them to America.America.

• Because Because EnglandEngland was so was so far far awayaway, , colonistscolonists had to learn to had to learn to governgovern themselves.themselves.

Arrival of ColonistArrival of Colonist

• A new group of colonist arrived A new group of colonist arrived in Americain America

• Drew a plan for government on Drew a plan for government on the shipthe ship

• CompactCompact—an agreement, or —an agreement, or contract, made among a group of contract, made among a group of peoplepeople

The Mayflower The Mayflower CompactCompact

• In 1620, Puritans on the In 1620, Puritans on the MayflowerMayflower signed The signed The Mayflower Mayflower CompactCompact establishing laws and a establishing laws and a government for the colonygovernment for the colony

• The The first documentfirst document to establish to establish self government in the colonies self government in the colonies

The Mayflower The Mayflower Compact Compact

•““Just and Equal LawsJust and Equal Laws•Obey Laws Obey Laws •Direct DemocracyDirect Democracy—all —all

men vote & the majority men vote & the majority rulerule

Colonial Colonial GovernmentsGovernments

•By 1733, there were 13 colonies, By 1733, there were 13 colonies, each with it’s own government.each with it’s own government.

•As years passed, As years passed, colonial colonial governments took on more governments took on more power and responsibilitypower and responsibility. They . They could solve their own problems could solve their own problems without help from Britain. without help from Britain.

CharterCharter•Each colony Each colony

was was established on established on the basis of a the basis of a chartercharter

•Largely self-Largely self-governinggoverning

•Mostly Mostly independentindependent

Successful Successful ColoniesColonies

• The colonies became more successful The colonies became more successful and Britain wanted to make money and Britain wanted to make money from them.from them.

• But colonists began to see themselves But colonists began to see themselves more as Americans, not British.more as Americans, not British.

• Trouble is a brewin’ and it smells like Trouble is a brewin’ and it smells like a harbor full of tea! Why are the a harbor full of tea! Why are the colonists angry?colonists angry?

The Colonies On The Colonies On Their OwnTheir Own

• The Colonies existed for The Colonies existed for economic benefit to the Britisheconomic benefit to the British

• The colonies basically governed The colonies basically governed themselves due to the distance of themselves due to the distance of the colonies and England the colonies and England

Royal Royal ControlControl

•King most control King most control over the coloniesover the colonies

•King George King George raised taxes to raised taxes to pay for Fr & pay for Fr & Indian WarIndian War

•Colonists angry – Colonists angry – no taxation no taxation without without representationrepresentation

The Stamp The Stamp Act Act

CongressCongress•Stamp ActStamp Act•Taxation without Taxation without

representationrepresentation •Unrest led to Unrest led to

boycotts & Boston boycotts & Boston Massacre & Boston Massacre & Boston Tea PartyTea Party

Intolerable ActsIntolerable Acts

•In retaliation of the In retaliation of the Boston Tea Party. Boston Tea Party. –Closed the Boston Closed the Boston Harbor Harbor

–Withdrew right of Withdrew right of Massachusetts colony to Massachusetts colony to govern themselvesgovern themselves

Colonial UnityColonial Unity

• In 1765– 9 colonies sent In 1765– 9 colonies sent delegates to a meeting in New delegates to a meeting in New York called the York called the Stamp Act Stamp Act CongressCongress

• First meeting organized to First meeting organized to protest King Georges actions protest King Georges actions

• Delegates sent a Delegates sent a petitionpetition stating stating that only colonial legislatures that only colonial legislatures could impose taxes could impose taxes

First First ContinenContinen

tal tal CongressCongress

•Colonists met b/c of Colonists met b/c of Intolerable Acts (1774)Intolerable Acts (1774)

•Sent list of grievances to Sent list of grievances to kingking

First Continental First Continental Congress Congress

• Delegates from all colonies Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met on Sept. 5, except Georgia met on Sept. 5, 17741774

• The colonist imposed an The colonist imposed an EmbargoEmbargo, an agreement , an agreement prohibiting trade, on Britain, and prohibiting trade, on Britain, and agreed not to use British goods. agreed not to use British goods.

• April 19, 1775 – “ Shot herd April 19, 1775 – “ Shot herd round the world.” round the world.”

Second Second ContinenContinen

tal tal CongresCongres

ss

•Revolution started so formed Revolution started so formed armyarmy

•Acted as gov’t w/ unicameral legActed as gov’t w/ unicameral leg

Second Continental Second Continental CongressCongress • Delegates from all 13 colonies gathered Delegates from all 13 colonies gathered

at Philadelphia at Philadelphia • Congress assumed the powers of Congress assumed the powers of

central govt.central govt. • John Hancock was President of John Hancock was President of

CongressCongress – Organize Army & Navy Organize Army & Navy – Issue Money Issue Money

• George Washington – Commander in George Washington – Commander in chief of Army chief of Army

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

• Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson was asked to was asked to write the draft write the draft

• The colonies had officially broken The colonies had officially broken with Great Britain and war was overwith Great Britain and war was over

• July 4, 1776 Congress approvedJuly 4, 1776 Congress approved the the final draft of the Declaration of In final draft of the Declaration of In dependence dependence

• John HancockJohn Hancock—first to sign as —first to sign as President of Congress President of Congress

July 4, July 4, 1776:1776:

•Thomas Thomas JeffersonJefferson

•Announces Announces independence independence & lists reasons & lists reasons why revoltedwhy revolted

Common Common Features of New Features of New

StatesStates•Popular sovereigntyPopular sovereignty•Limited governmentLimited government•Civil rights and libertiesCivil rights and liberties•Separation of powers & Separation of powers &

checks & balanceschecks & balances

New Ideas & New Ideas & BeliefsBeliefs

– Idea that Idea that people have naturalpeople have natural rightsrights that govts must respect that govts must respect (challenge to king) & social (challenge to king) & social contract -- contract -- LockeLocke

–all people equalall people equal -- -- RousseauRousseau–Freedom of the press -- Freedom of the press -- VoltaireVoltaire

–Separation of church and state Separation of church and state -- Montesquieu-- Montesquieu

Articles of Articles of ConfederationConfederation

Government Government Under The Articles Under The Articles

•Unicameral CongressUnicameral Congress •No Executive BranchNo Executive Branch = No President = No President •No federal court systemNo federal court system •Each Each statestate had had one voteone vote in in CongressCongress, ,

no matter the size or population. no matter the size or population. •CongressCongress only had only had powerspowers expressedexpressed

in the in the Articles Articles (Lawmaking Powers) (Lawmaking Powers)

Weaknesses of the Weaknesses of the ArticlesArticles

• Weak Weak national governmentnational government • Each state had no intention of giving Each state had no intention of giving

up sovereignty to central government. up sovereignty to central government. • Congress Congress did notdid not have have power to levy or power to levy or

collect taxes. collect taxes. • Congress Congress did notdid not have power to have power to

regulate trade.regulate trade. ( Economic disputes ( Economic disputes with other states & countries resulted) with other states & countries resulted)

Weaknesses of the Weaknesses of the ArticlesArticles

•Congress Congress could not forcecould not force anyone anyone to to obey lawsobey laws. .

• Laws Laws need need approval approval of of 9/ 9/ 13states. 13states.

•AmendingAmending the the Articles Articles required required the the consent consent of of all statesall states. .

•The central govt. did not have a The central govt. did not have a executive branch. executive branch.

•No national court system. No national court system.

Need For Stronger Need For Stronger Government Government

•Growing Growing financial problemsfinancial problems•Shay's RebellionShay's Rebellion–– Daniel Shay Daniel Shay

( fought in Rev. War) and other ( fought in Rev. War) and other farmers threatened to lay siege farmers threatened to lay siege on Boston. on Boston.

•Annapolis ConventionAnnapolis Convention– set the – set the stage for the Philadelphia stage for the Philadelphia Convention– to make a change Convention– to make a change for a better National Govt. for a better National Govt.

The The Constitutional Constitutional Convention Convention

The Convention The Convention Begins Begins

• George Washington-George Washington--chosen to -chosen to preside preside over the meetings. over the meetings.

• EachEach state state would have would have one voteone vote on all ?s on all ?s • No meetingsNo meetings would be held unless would be held unless 7/13 7/13

statesstates were present. were present. • Agreed to abandon the ArticlesAgreed to abandon the Articles and to and to

start over with a new form of govt. start over with a new form of govt. • Strengthen the national govtStrengthen the national govt. ( 3 Ways ) . ( 3 Ways )

The New Jersey The New Jersey PlanPlan

• Favored by the Favored by the Smaller StatesSmaller States. . •Unicameral LegislatureUnicameral Legislature –One VoteOne Vote for each for each State State –Power to Power to Impose TaxesImpose Taxes –Power to Power to Regulate TradeRegulate Trade

•Weak Executive BranchWeak Executive Branch •National JudiciaryNational Judiciary

The Virginia PlanThe Virginia Plan • 2 body legislature

• Representation by population

• Favored by large states

The Connecticut The Connecticut Compromise Compromise

• Legislative Branch w/ two partsLegislative Branch w/ two parts – House of RepresentativesHouse of Representatives – state – state

representation representation based on populationbased on population. . All revenue lawsAll revenue laws. .

– SenateSenate – – two members from each statetwo members from each state. . – The Larger states would have an The Larger states would have an

advantage in the HORadvantage in the HOR– Smaller states would have an Smaller states would have an

advantage in the in the Senate advantage in the in the Senate

The Three-Fifths The Three-Fifths Compromise Compromise

• Settled a disagreementSettled a disagreement over how to over how to determine how many determine how many representatives representatives each state would have in each state would have in the Housethe House. .

• Almost 1/3 of of the southern states Almost 1/3 of of the southern states were enslaved Africans.were enslaved Africans.

• Three-fifths of the enslaved people Three-fifths of the enslaved people were to be counted for both tax were to be counted for both tax purposes and for representation. purposes and for representation.

Compromise on Compromise on Commerce and the Commerce and the

Slave Trade Slave Trade •Congress did not ban Congress did not ban

slave trade until 1808slave trade until 1808•Congress was given the Congress was given the

power to regulate both power to regulate both interstate commerce and interstate commerce and foreign commerce. foreign commerce.

The Slavery The Slavery QuestionQuestion

•The word The word slave does not appear slave does not appear in the constitution.in the constitution.

• Founders Founders chose not to dealchose not to deal with with the issue of the issue of slaveryslavery b/c they b/c they knew the knew the Southern states would Southern states would never accept the Constitutionnever accept the Constitution. .

• Founders left this issue for Founders left this issue for future generations to deal with. future generations to deal with.

Ratifying the Ratifying the ConstitutionConstitution

FederalistsFederalists– favored the Constitution– favored the Constitution – Favored by merchants and others in Favored by merchants and others in

the cities the cities – Strong National Govt.Strong National Govt.

Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists– criticized the – criticized the Constitution Constitution – Inland farmers & laborers Inland farmers & laborers – Feared a strong national govt. Feared a strong national govt. – Wanted a Bill of RightsWanted a Bill of Rights

Launching a New Launching a New StateState

• New York City– nation’s New York City– nation’s temporary capitaltemporary capital

• George Washington– PresidentGeorge Washington– President • John Adams– Vice PresidentJohn Adams– Vice President • 22 Senators 22 Senators • 59 Representatives59 Representatives

Constitution Structure

• Preamble – Explains the reasons for writing the Constitution

• Articles– Explain the structure of the US Government

• Bill of Rights– Outlines the 10 rights guaranteed to the American

People – Added to get the Anti-Federalists to ratify the US

Constitution

• Amendments– Additions to the Constitution

Three Branches of Government

• Establish Separation of Powers between the– Executive Branch– Judicial Branch– Legislative Branch

• Came from ideas of the philosopher Montesquieu who believed Liberty is important