American Government:American Government:

Pre-ConstitutionPre-Constitution

Britain settles AmericaBritain settles America

• In 1609-10, Britain sets up two colonies in America: Jamestown, VA and Popham, ME.

• Both colonies stuggle (Popham fails after 1 year), but the English continue their attempts and continue to send colonists over

• Colony: an area conquered and controlled by a home country; exists for economic gain ($$)

-Example: Britain controls the American Colonies

to make $$ from them

• By 1770s Britain has set up 13 permanent colonies in America

Jamestown, VA (1607)Jamestown, VA (1607)

Popham Beach (Present Popham Beach (Present Day)Day)

Quick Write:Quick Write:Name the 13 Colonies....Name the 13 Colonies....

• Can you name the 13 colonies?Can you name the 13 colonies?

• Make a bulleted list 1-13 and see if you Make a bulleted list 1-13 and see if you can name them all. can name them all.

• BonusBonus: Which colony was the first to : Which colony was the first to become a state??become a state??

So, what did the Founders So, what did the Founders think about government?think about government?

• Founders studied Founders studied many forms of many forms of govt.govt.

• Mostly, they Mostly, they studied John studied John Locke and the Locke and the Roman RepublicRoman Republic

John LockeJohn Locke

• Locke added on to Locke added on to the Social Contract the Social Contract TheoryTheory

• ““If govt. does not If govt. does not uphold rights and uphold rights and protect citizens, they protect citizens, they have the right to have the right to overthrow the govt.”overthrow the govt.”

• The Founders The Founders used used this reasonthis reason to start to start the Revolutionary the Revolutionary War!!War!!

John Locke's 3 Natural John Locke's 3 Natural RightsRights

• John Locke believed all people had 3 Natural Rights that all governments must protect

• Life: People want to survive and be as safe as possible

• Liberty: People want to be as free as possible, and make their own decisions

• Property: People want to own things necessary for survival, and want economic gain to make life easier

America & the KingAmerica & the King

• The Founders felt that England had violated their rights.

• They broke the social contract with King George III, and fought for independence in the Revolutionary War

• After victory, that founders needed to pick a form of government that would protect their rights and uphold the social contract

• Create a Democracy

How does a Democracy How does a Democracy work?work?

• In order for a Democracy to work, 3 things must happen:

• 1.) Representatives must make decisions

• 2.) Citizens must participate & work with reps.

• 3.) Both citizens and reps. must work for the common good

Civic VirtueCivic Virtue

• Civic Virtue: Citizens and reps put aside personal interests and work for the interests of the people (common good)

Creating a ConstitutionCreating a Constitution

• Almost every country in the world has a constitution

• A constitution is a blueprint for how govt. should run

• A constitution answers questions about citizens and govt.

Ask a Constitution: Ask a Constitution: Answers About Govt.Answers About Govt.

• How govt. is organized. Ex: Is there a President, Congress, Dictator, small group?

• How people are selected to serve in govt. Ex: How long should they serve?

Are there elections?

• How govt. makes decisions and create laws.Ex: Law Enforcement, Court Systems

Ask a Constitution:Ask a Constitution:Answers About CitizensAnswers About Citizens

• Who is a citizen?

• Can citizens control the govt.? How does this “control” work?

• What rights & responsibilities do citizens have?

Main Purpose of a Main Purpose of a ConstitutionConstitution

• To limit the power of the person or group running the govt.

• Most important, a constitution ensures ways for these limits to be enforced

Quick Write: Quick Write: That's So Un-ConstitutionalThat's So Un-Constitutional• What does it mean if something is What does it mean if something is

“unconstitutional”? What happens if a “unconstitutional”? What happens if a law is unconstitutional?law is unconstitutional?

What is Higher Law?What is Higher Law?

• Higher LawHigher Law: a set of laws that establish : a set of laws that establish and limit the power of govt.and limit the power of govt.

• What is the higher law What is the higher law in the United States?in the United States?

The Limits of Higher LawThe Limits of Higher Law

• Higher law limits the power of govt.

• Some examples:

• Giving Citizen's Rights: Freedom of Speech, Religion, etc.

• Conflict Resolution: must follow rules & procedures when enforcing law

• Eminent Domain: can not take property unless they pay for it and use it for the common good

Why did the founders write the Why did the founders write the Declaration of Independence?Declaration of Independence?

• It explains why the colonists want independence from Great Britain.

• It lists 27 complaints against the British govt.• Each complaint states how Britain violated

the Americans rights.• It summarizes the Americans basic ideas

about government.

How is the Declaration How is the Declaration Organized?Organized?

• There are 4 parts of the Declaration:

1.) Ideals – Beliefs of the purpose of govt.

2.) Arguments – Reasons why the colonists are breaking away from Britain

3.) Complaints – 27 complaints/reasons against the British govt. and King George III

4.) Conclusion – Official statement of Independence

Reasons for IndependenceReasons for Independence

• People are granted Natural Rights, no govt. or ruler can ever take this away

• If a govt. does violate your natural rights, you have the right to overthrow the govt.

• The King agreed to protect the colonists natural rights in return for taxes and trade

• Colonists felt a series of laws, taxes and events violated their natural rights

Deserted Island ActivityDeserted Island Activity

• Please listen while Mr. Duran explains the activity and assigns roles to every student. Listen carefully when your role is assigned.

TimerTimer

• It is your responsibility to keep track of the time. Each group has 15 minutes for each question. You must give your group a 2 minute warning when their time for each question is almost up.

• It is also your responsibility to raise your hand if your group needs help.This way thegroup can continue working until I arrive.

RecorderRecorder

• Recorder writes down the group's final decisions for either question 1 or for question 2.

• The recorder should also takes notes of anything important during discussion.

ReporterReporter• The reporter needs to report out the

group's answers at the end of the activity. They may choose to report out or read the groups answers off their paper.

What's in a Quote?What's in a Quote?

• Please silently read page 43 in your WTP textbook.

• After you are finished, answer questions 1-3.

What does each Quote What does each Quote mean?mean?

• Alexander Hamilton says that:

• If one group is given power, no matter how large or how small, they will inevitably abuse their power.

What does each Quote What does each Quote mean?mean?

• Benjamin Franklin says that:

• The desire for power & money can/will corrupt people.

What does each Quote What does each Quote mean?mean?

• George Mason says that:

• It is the nature of human beings to want more power and control.

Preventing a Govt. from Preventing a Govt. from Abusing its PowersAbusing its Powers

• There are two main ways that the founders used to prevent the govt. from abusing its power:

1.) Separate the powers of govt. into different sections (or Branches)

2.) Create a system of Checks & Balances so that no branch has more power than the other.