Origins of American Origins of American GovernmentGovernment

SSCG 2SSCG 2

In 1607, the English settled In 1607, the English settled Jamestown, Virginia – the Jamestown, Virginia – the first permanent English first permanent English colony in North America.colony in North America.

They brought ideas about They brought ideas about government with them government with them learned from centuries of learned from centuries of practice – limited practice – limited government and government and representative government representative government were the heart of the were the heart of the English system.English system.

The idea that the The idea that the government was not all government was not all powerful had become part powerful had become part of the English system.of the English system.

In 1215, King John of In 1215, King John of England was forced England was forced to sign the to sign the Magna Magna Carta.Carta.

This was a list of do This was a list of do and do nots for the and do nots for the king.king.

It established the It established the idea of idea of limited limited governmentgovernment – the – the power of the monarch power of the monarch was limited not was limited not absolute. absolute.

1625, Charles I took the 1625, Charles I took the English throne. He dissolved English throne. He dissolved Parliament, housed soldiers Parliament, housed soldiers in private homes, and placed in private homes, and placed some areas under martial some areas under martial law.law.

1628, Parliament was called 1628, Parliament was called back into session and passed back into session and passed the Petition of Right which the Petition of Right which severely limited the power of severely limited the power of the king: he could not tax the king: he could not tax without Parliament’s without Parliament’s consent, house soldiers in consent, house soldiers in private homes, declare private homes, declare martial law unless at war, or martial law unless at war, or imprison people without just imprison people without just cause.cause.

1688, William III and Mary II 1688, William III and Mary II came to the English throne. came to the English throne. They started the “Glorious They started the “Glorious Revolution.” Revolution.”

They agreed to rule with They agreed to rule with Parliament and Parliament Parliament and Parliament passed the passed the English Bill of Rights English Bill of Rights – – important to the American important to the American colonies.colonies.

It set clear limits on what the It set clear limits on what the monarch could and could not monarch could and could not do: monarchs do not have do: monarchs do not have absolute power; rule with absolute power; rule with Parliament; cannot fool with Parliament; cannot fool with elections or debates; right of elections or debates; right of petition; fair and speedy trial; petition; fair and speedy trial; no cruel or unusual no cruel or unusual punishments or excessive fines punishments or excessive fines and bail.and bail.

American colonists American colonists had a firm belief in had a firm belief in representative representative democracy – democracy – a a government where government where the people elect the people elect delegates to make delegates to make laws and run laws and run government.government.

Hobbes, Voltaire, Rousseau, Hobbes, Voltaire, Rousseau, and John Locke wrote about and John Locke wrote about Social contract.Social contract.

John Locke took social John Locke took social contract a step further. contract a step further.

People were endowed with People were endowed with the right of life, liberty, and the right of life, liberty, and property. To keep these property. To keep these rights, they willingly rights, they willingly contracted to give power to contracted to give power to a governing authority. When a governing authority. When government failed to government failed to preserve the rights of the preserve the rights of the people, the people had the people, the people had the right to break the contract.right to break the contract.

He influenced the American He influenced the American Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence with his beliefs.with his beliefs.

Each American colony had its Each American colony had its own governor, legislature, and own governor, legislature, and court system.court system.

The British felt the colonies The British felt the colonies owed allegiance to the owed allegiance to the monarch, and for years the monarch, and for years the colonies were loyal to the colonies were loyal to the crown.crown.

The colonial governments did The colonial governments did begin practices that became a begin practices that became a key part of the nation’s key part of the nation’s government; a written government; a written constitution guaranteeing constitution guaranteeing basic rights and limited the basic rights and limited the power of government; elected power of government; elected representatives; and a representatives; and a separation of powers between separation of powers between the governor and legislature.the governor and legislature.

The The Mayflower CompactMayflower Compact (1620) is the first example (1620) is the first example of colonial plans for self of colonial plans for self government.government.

The Pilgrim leaders The Pilgrim leaders realized they needed rules realized they needed rules to govern themselves if to govern themselves if they were to survive.they were to survive.

They also agreed to pick They also agreed to pick their own leaders and their own leaders and make their own laws, make their own laws, which they would design which they would design for their own benefit.for their own benefit.

1636, Massachusetts – 1636, Massachusetts – Plymouth colony -Plymouth colony -adopted the adopted the Great Great Fundamentals Fundamentals ..

A general court made A general court made up of 2 deputies from up of 2 deputies from each town chosen by each town chosen by freemen and a governor freemen and a governor with assistants to make with assistants to make up the governing up the governing councilcouncil

These were the first These were the first basic system of laws in basic system of laws in the English colonies.the English colonies.

The The Fundamental Orders of Fundamental Orders of ConnecticutConnecticut was America’s was America’s first formal constitution.first formal constitution.

It laid out a plan for It laid out a plan for government that gave the government that gave the people the right to elect the people the right to elect the governor, judges, and governor, judges, and representatives to make representatives to make laws.laws.

Other English colonies began Other English colonies began to draw up their own to draw up their own charters setting the charters setting the principles of limited principles of limited government and rule by law government and rule by law in each colonies.in each colonies.

Representative assemblies Representative assemblies became big in the English became big in the English colonies.colonies.

Puritan leaders used their Puritan leaders used their experience in selecting church experience in selecting church officials in electing officials in electing representatives to the representatives to the legislature.legislature.

1619, the Virginia House of 1619, the Virginia House of Burgesses came into existence.Burgesses came into existence.

It was the first legislature in It was the first legislature in North America.North America.

Rapid growth meant the Rapid growth meant the colonies needed new laws to colonies needed new laws to cope with new circumstances – cope with new circumstances – land distribution, public works, land distribution, public works, new towns, new schools, and new towns, new schools, and new courts.new courts.

Colonial charters divided Colonial charters divided the power of government.the power of government.

The governor had The governor had executive power, the executive power, the colonial legislatures had colonial legislatures had the right to pass laws, and the right to pass laws, and colonial courts heard cases.colonial courts heard cases.

This principle of This principle of separation separation of powers of powers was popularized was popularized by Montesquieu by Montesquieu The Spirit The Spirit of the Law of the Law and proved vital and proved vital to the U.S. Constitution.to the U.S. Constitution.

The colonies were The colonies were accustomed to accustomed to ruling themselves. ruling themselves. But, 2 things made But, 2 things made the British tighten the British tighten up their control of up their control of North America – North America – (1.) the French and (1.) the French and Indian War and (2.) Indian War and (2.) George III’s view George III’s view on how to govern on how to govern the colonies. the colonies.

The French and Indian The French and Indian War (1754 – 1763) War (1754 – 1763) gave the British control gave the British control of the eastern part of of the eastern part of North America.North America.

The colonies no longer The colonies no longer needed protection from needed protection from the French.the French.

The war did leave the The war did leave the British government in British government in large debt that the large debt that the colonies were expected colonies were expected to help repay.to help repay.

New taxes were placed New taxes were placed on the colonists to help on the colonists to help repay this debt.repay this debt.

The first was the The first was the Stamp Stamp ActAct – it required a tax – it required a tax on legal documents, on legal documents, pamphlets, pamphlets, newspapers, dice, and newspapers, dice, and playing cards.playing cards.

It was the first direct It was the first direct tax on the colonists.tax on the colonists.

British British revenue – revenue – the the money a government money a government collects from taxes or collects from taxes or other resources – from other resources – from the colonies increased. the colonies increased.

Colonial resentment Colonial resentment grew with the revenues. grew with the revenues.

Colonists protested and Colonists protested and boycotted British goods. boycotted British goods. Parliament repealed the Parliament repealed the Stamp Act but replaced Stamp Act but replaced it with other tax laws.it with other tax laws.

The British The British responded with the responded with the Coercive Acts,Coercive Acts, which were called which were called the Intolerable Acts the Intolerable Acts by colonists.by colonists.

Quertering Act; Boston Quertering Act; Boston Port Bill;Port Bill; Administration Administration of Justice Act; of Justice Act; Massachusetts Massachusetts Government Act; Government Act; Quebec ActQuebec Act

The colonists responded by The colonists responded by acting like Americans – not acting like Americans – not Virginians, Georgians, New Virginians, Georgians, New Yorkers – as one.Yorkers – as one.

The acts unintentionally The acts unintentionally promoted sympathy for promoted sympathy for Massachusetts and encouraged Massachusetts and encouraged colonists from the otherwise colonists from the otherwise diverse colonies to form the First diverse colonies to form the First Continental Congress. The Continental Congress. The Continental Congress created the Continental Congress created the Continental Association, an Continental Association, an agreement to boycott British agreement to boycott British goods and, if that did not get the goods and, if that did not get the Coercive Acts reversed after a Coercive Acts reversed after a year, to stop exporting goods to year, to stop exporting goods to Great Britain as well. The Great Britain as well. The Congress also pledged to support Congress also pledged to support Massachusetts in case of attack, Massachusetts in case of attack, which meant that all of the which meant that all of the colonies would become involved colonies would become involved when the American when the American Revolutionary War began at Revolutionary War began at Lexington and Concord.Lexington and Concord.

The The Stamp Act Congress Stamp Act Congress met in 1765 to protest the met in 1765 to protest the actions of George III. They actions of George III. They sent a petition to the king sent a petition to the king protesting direct taxes on protesting direct taxes on the colonies.the colonies.

Committees of Committees of Correspondence Correspondence were were started so colonists could started so colonists could keep in touch about events.keep in touch about events.

Samuel Adams began the Samuel Adams began the first one in Boston, and the first one in Boston, and the idea soon spread idea soon spread throughout the colonies.throughout the colonies.

September 5, 1774, the September 5, 1774, the First Continental Congress First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to met in Philadelphia to discuss how to deal with the discuss how to deal with the relationship with Britain.relationship with Britain.

They agreed on an They agreed on an embargo embargo – an agreement to prohibit – an agreement to prohibit trade – on Britain and trade – on Britain and agreed to meet one year agreed to meet one year later if British policies had later if British policies had not changed. not changed.

George III declared New George III declared New England in a state of England in a state of rebellion.rebellion.

April 19, 1775, “the April 19, 1775, “the shot heard ‘round shot heard ‘round the world” was fired the world” was fired beginning the beginning the American Revolution.American Revolution.

British redcoats British redcoats clashed with clashed with American American minutemen at minutemen at Lexington and Lexington and Concord.Concord.

Three weeks later, the Three weeks later, the Second Continental Second Continental Congress took the powers Congress took the powers of central government. of central government.

John Hancock was made John Hancock was made President.President.

They voted to organize an They voted to organize an army and navy, issue army and navy, issue money, and made George money, and made George Washington commander of Washington commander of the Continental Army.the Continental Army.

It purchased supplies, It purchased supplies, negotiated treaties, and negotiated treaties, and rallied support for the rallied support for the colonists’ cause. colonists’ cause.

July 2, 1776, July 2, 1776, Richard Henry Lee Richard Henry Lee issued the “Lee issued the “Lee Resolution” – “that Resolution” – “that these united these united colonies are, and of colonies are, and of right ought to be, right ought to be, free and free and independent independent states.” states.”

July 4, 1776, Congress July 4, 1776, Congress passes Thomas passes Thomas Jefferson’s Jefferson’s Declaration Declaration of Independence of Independence ..

Key parts of the Key parts of the Declaration: preamble Declaration: preamble (why); declaration of (why); declaration of natural rights (political natural rights (political philosophy); philosophy); grievances against grievances against George III; and George III; and resolution.resolution.

The The Articles of Articles of Confederation Confederation were were ratifiedratified, , passed, to carry on the passed, to carry on the system of government set system of government set up by the 2up by the 2ndnd Continental Continental Congress. Congress.

They had a They had a unicameralunicameral, or , or single chamber, Congress single chamber, Congress from which executive from which executive positions were chosen; no positions were chosen; no federal court system; federal court system; congress decided on issues congress decided on issues between states; each state between states; each state had 1 vote no matter its size had 1 vote no matter its size or population; and states or population; and states could recall representatives could recall representatives whenever they wanted.whenever they wanted.

Weaknesses in the Weaknesses in the Articles Articles : Congress could : Congress could not levy or collect taxes; not levy or collect taxes; could not regulate could not regulate trade; could not enforce trade; could not enforce laws; needed 9 of 13 laws; needed 9 of 13 votes to pass laws; votes to pass laws; amending the Articles amending the Articles required consent of all required consent of all the colonies; no the colonies; no executive branch; and, executive branch; and, no national court no national court system.system.

Achievements: (1.) a fair Achievements: (1.) a fair policy for development of policy for development of lands west of the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains – Appalachian Mountains – states ceded, gave up, lands states ceded, gave up, lands to the central government to the central government and passed ordinances, laws and passed ordinances, laws that provided for the that provided for the organization of territories; organization of territories; (2.) peace treaty with Great (2.) peace treaty with Great Britain; set up departments Britain; set up departments of foreign affairs, treasury, of foreign affairs, treasury, war, and marine; and (3.) war, and marine; and (3.) encourage cooperation encourage cooperation among states.among states.

Despite its accomplishments Despite its accomplishments of the Articles of of the Articles of Confederation, the country Confederation, the country faced problems – the central faced problems – the central government could not government could not coordinate the actions of the coordinate the actions of the states. states.

Growing problems: boundary Growing problems: boundary lines, taxes, finances, and lines, taxes, finances, and protection.protection.

Shay’s Rebellion was an Shay’s Rebellion was an uprising led by uprising led by Massachusetts farmers Massachusetts farmers against the foreclosures of against the foreclosures of farms brought on by the farms brought on by the economic depression after economic depression after the American Revolution.the American Revolution.

With the problems With the problems facing the nation, facing the nation, delegates met to revise delegates met to revise the Articles of the Articles of Confederation. (5 Confederation. (5 states had discussed states had discussed commerce at the commerce at the Annapolis Convention.)Annapolis Convention.)

The Constitutional The Constitutional Convention met May, Convention met May, 25, 1787.25, 1787.

55 delegates out of 74 55 delegates out of 74 showed up and 39 showed up and 39 signed the Constitutionsigned the Constitution

James Madison was James Madison was a strong advocate of a strong advocate of a strong national a strong national government.government.

He is called “the He is called “the father of the father of the Constitution” Constitution” because he was the because he was the author of the basic author of the basic plan of government plan of government that was eventually that was eventually adopted.adopted.

The delegates came to the The delegates came to the agreement that they agreement that they should begin a new should begin a new government.government.

They agreed that the new They agreed that the new government should be government should be limited and representative; limited and representative; 3 branches of government; 3 branches of government; limit the state’s power limit the state’s power when coining money or when coining money or interfering with creditor’s interfering with creditor’s rights; and they agreed the rights; and they agreed the national government national government should be strengthened.should be strengthened.

The The Virginia Plan Virginia Plan proposed a proposed a government based on 3 government based on 3 principles: (1.) a strong principles: (1.) a strong national legislature with 2 national legislature with 2 chambers – lower house chambers – lower house chosen by the people and an chosen by the people and an upper house chosen by the upper house chosen by the lower house; (2.) a strong lower house; (2.) a strong national executive chosen by national executive chosen by the national legislature; and the national legislature; and (3.) a national judiciary (3.) a national judiciary chosen by the legislature.chosen by the legislature.

It became the basis for the It became the basis for the Constitution.Constitution.

It favored the larger states It favored the larger states population wise.population wise.

The The New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan wanted to keep the wanted to keep the unicameral legislature, with unicameral legislature, with one vote each state; one vote each state; Congress could levy taxes Congress could levy taxes and regulate trade; a weak and regulate trade; a weak executive with more than executive with more than one person would be picked one person would be picked by congress; and a national by congress; and a national judiciary would appointed judiciary would appointed by the executive.by the executive.

This plan favored the This plan favored the smaller states – gave smaller states – gave equality. The Va. Plan equality. The Va. Plan favored larger states.favored larger states.

The Connecticut The Connecticut Compromise Compromise suggested suggested the legislative branch have the legislative branch have 2 houses – a House of 2 houses – a House of Representatives based on Representatives based on population, and a Senate population, and a Senate with 2 rep. per state with 2 rep. per state picked by the legislature.picked by the legislature.

All revenue laws – All revenue laws – spending and taxes – spending and taxes – began in the House.began in the House.

Larger states had the Larger states had the advantage in the House; advantage in the House; smaller were protected in smaller were protected in the Senate with equal the Senate with equal representation.representation.

The The Three-fifths Three-fifths Compromise Compromise ended the ended the debate on the number debate on the number of representatives a of representatives a state would get in the state would get in the House.House.

Three-fifths of the Three-fifths of the enslaved peoples enslaved peoples would be counted for would be counted for taxes and the purpose taxes and the purpose of representation.of representation.

June 21, 1788, the June 21, 1788, the Constitution goes Constitution goes into effect when into effect when New Hampshire New Hampshire became the ninth became the ninth state to ratify it.state to ratify it.

The political debate The political debate ended may 29, 1790 ended may 29, 1790 when Rhode Island when Rhode Island agreed to approve agreed to approve it.it.

Two opposing viewpoints Two opposing viewpoints arose about the Constitution: arose about the Constitution: Anti-federalists Anti-federalists and and Federalists.Federalists.

The Anti-federalists said the The Anti-federalists said the Constitution was drafted in Constitution was drafted in secrecy and was secrecy and was extralegal, extralegal, not sanctioned by law. They not sanctioned by law. They were against it.were against it.

The Federalists argued that a The Federalists argued that a strong national government strong national government was to stop was to stop anarchy, anarchy, political political disorder. They were for the disorder. They were for the Constitution. They promised Constitution. They promised a Bill of Rights added to it.a Bill of Rights added to it.