Unit II Notes: Origins of the National Government

Hammurabi’s Code

• The first written law code• Hammurabi was King of Sumaria (Babylon)

about 1750 BCE.• Wrote his law code to legitimize his rule• A law code is a list of fundamental laws for a

nation-state

Hammurabi’s Code

• Law codes are important because they:– Set forth the rules of society– provide us with notice of the laws and

punishments– Limit government’s powers

Hammurabi’s Code• Examples:– “if a man destroys the eye of another, his eye shall

be destroyed”– “if a son shall strike is father, his hand shall be cut

off”– “if a physician shall cut out a tumor and the

patient dies, the doctor shall be put to the sword”

Law Codes

• We have law codes at the national, State, and local level in order to:– Limit the powers of government– Provide notice of the law– Provide notice in changes in the law– Prevent arbitrary prosecution– Etc…

The Ten Commandments

• A list of universal laws• Similar lists found for all cultures• Idea that some things are fundamentally

wrong• Basis for US criminal law code

The Ten Commandments

• Examples:– “Thou shall not kill”– “Thou shall not steal”

Origins of Democracy

• Greek Democracy (Athens)– Created by Aristotle– Equality before the law– Popular sovereignty– Direct democracy

Origins of Democracy

• Roman Republic– Separation of Powers (3 branches)– Republican Government (Representatives called

Senators)– Checks and Balances

Justinian’s Code

• First civil law code• Civil Law- laws which pertain to a citizen’s

conflicts with other citizens, not the government– Examples:• Marriage Law• Divorce Law• Wills and Probate• Contract Law

Justinian’s Code

• Justinian was the Holy Roman Emperor of the Eastern Empire about 533 AD

• He had the Code written to provide his people with a “just” system to deal with one another

Justinian’s Code• The Justinian Code was captured by Napoleon’s

troops in the Napoleonic War and taken to France (Napoleonic Code)

• French colonists brought the Code to the US • Louisiana Civil Law is based upon this Code

Justinian’s Code

• Examples from Justinian’s Code– “after a divorce, children are to be raised by their

mother until adulthood “– “a man must support his family all their lives”– “a contract for a sale of land shall be in writing”– “interest for loans may not exceed 33%”– Etc…

English SourcesThe English Constitution is made up of:

The Magna CartaThe Petition of RightThe English Bill of Rights

The Magna Carta

• Signed in 1215 by King John• Had to sign because he lost the war at the

Battle of Runnymede

The Magna Carta• Prince/King John

Hated by the Nobility because he:1. increased taxes dramatically2. did not use the tax money to ransom King Richard3. created estate taxes4. imprisoned political rivals without trial5. sold widows and orphans into “ward ships”6. outlawed those who protested against his rule

The Magna Carta

• Major Democratic ideas we borrowed – Freedom from unjust arrest( warrants)– Trial by a jury of peers for noblemen (12)– No taxation without representation– Elected legislature; the Great Council

The Petition of Right (1628)

• Signed by Charles I– Why did he sign?

To re-gain the kingdom after the “Glorious Revolution” .

The Petition of Right

• Major democratic ideas borrowed:– No taxation without representation (elections!)– Can’t be jailed without a jury trial (bail)– No quartering of troops in private homes during

peacetime– No martial law (military rule) in peacetime

The English Bill of Rights (1689)

• Signed by William and Mary of Orange• Why did they sign?

The English Bill of Rights

• Major democratic ideas borrowed:– Free speech and press – No excessive bail/fines– No cruel and unusual punishment– “free” elections for Parliament– Laws must have the consent of Parliament

Colonial Contributions

• Mayflower Compact• Virginia House of Burgesses• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

The Mayflower Compact (1620)

• First Social Contract in America• Agreement among Pilgrims to form a

government• Created 1st democratic government in America• Gave us the idea for social contracts or

constitutions and government with the consent of the people

The Virginia House of Burgesses

• First elected legislature in American colonies• Bicameral Legislature : two houses• People of Virginia directly elected the lower house;

upper house appointed by Governor• Provided Framers an example for Congress

The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• First colonial charter /constitution to list the powers of government and rights of the people

• Guaranteed free speech, press, and religion to all residents of Conn.

• Guaranteed voting rights to all free adult males

Colonial Self-Rule

• Why did people come to America?– Religious Freedom– Forced immigration (convictions)– Personal Freedom– Economics (#1)

Colonial Self Rule

• Colonists were self-governing because– England is too far away– Some colonies were created as Charter Colonies– Some colonial Governors did not work– England is at war with France for almost 200 years

Colonial Self-Rule

• The impact of self rule– Britain ignores most colonial affairs– Colonies develop independent legislatures– Colonies become economically and politically self-

reliant– Colonists demand the rights of Englishmen

Colonial Self-Rule

• Ideas that emerged from experiences with self-governing– 1. written charters/constitutions– 2. separation of powers– 3. Bicameralism– 4. Judicial Review of Laws– 5. No taxation without representation

Colonial Self-Rule

• Long-term effects

1. Town and County governments emerge2. Colonial leaders developed skills/reputations

WashingtonAdamsFranklinJefferson

Colonial Self-Rule

• Why did colonists begin to protest against British rule?– Taxes– Trade Restrictions– Quartering of Troops– Denial of the right to trial by jury– Etc…

Colonial Self-Rule

• Colonial Anger Escalates:– Sugar Act Protests– Stamp Act Congress– Townshend Acts = Williamsburg Boycott– Boston Massacre (only 5 die)– Boston Tea Party– Intolerable Acts– Lexington and Concord 1774 : War starts!

Colonial Self-Rule

• Who emerged as leaders in the independence movement?– Franklin– Adam, Sam– Adams, John– Jefferson– Thomas Paine– Washington

European Philosophers

• John Locke (1632-1704)• Wrote Two Treatise on Civil Government• Scottish writer, philosopher, and doctor• Ideas:– All men have natural rights– Government is created to protect rights– If government fails to protect rights, people have the right

to rebel– If government makes laws with the peoples’ consent, the

people must obey

European Philosophers

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)• Wrote The Social Contract• French philosopher and politician• “The Hero of Two Revolutions”• Ideas:– Government owes people fair treatment– People must have a voice in government

European Philosophers• Henri, The Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1756)• French nobleman, inventor, and philosopher• Ideas:– Government officials will try to increase their powers– Those in power will abuse it if they aren’t limited by a

constitution– Best way to protect liberty is to separate power– People must be given the vote– People have the right to change government if it violates

their rights

William Blackstone

• English Lawyer and Judge• Codified English Common Law• Still used in U.S. today

First Continental Congress• Called in 1774 to protest unfair taxes and

trade restrictions.• Sent The Declaration of Rights to George III• Colonists received no response from England• Called for a Second Continental Congress to be

elected and meet in Philadelphia in 1774

The American Revolution 1774-1781

• Causes:– High taxes– Trade restrictions– Restrictions on immigration and settlement– Attacks on self-government– Harsh punishments for protesters– Etc…

The American Revolution

• Effects:– The US becomes an independent nation– US gains territory to the west– US inspires revolutions in other nations– Washington become a national hero

Second Continental Congress 1774-1781• Purpose: organize protests against British

taxes and trade restrictions• Impact: became a de facto national

government for the duration of the Revolution

The Declaration of IndependenceJuly 4, 1776

• Written by a committee of 5:– Adams– Franklin– Sherman– Livingston – Jefferson

Declaration of Independence• Jefferson was the main author• 33 years old– youngest delegate• Graduate of William and Mary• Lawyer, architect, writer, planter, politician,

scientists, philosopher, slave owner, etc…

Declaration of Independence

• Signed by : 56 delegates from all 13 colonies• Who didn’t sign?– George Washington (he was off being Commander

of the Army)– John Dickinson (he did not approve of our

“independency”)

Declaration of Independence

• It is a four part essay:– Introduction: identifies reasons for independence– Explanation of our political ideology– List of the injuries and usurpations of the King– Declaration of our independence

Declaration of Independence• Five purposes for writing the Declaration:– Gain international support ($, troops, weapons, etc…)– Gain popular support in the colonies– Set up a democratic government– Propaganda (increase enlistments and support)– Declare our Independence (hence the title!)

Declaration of Independence

• Why was it so successful?– French King gave $, troops, ships, weapons, etc..– British citizens protested costs of war– American enlistments increased– Colonial sentiment favored Independence

Declaration of Independence

– Four Democratic Principles:• “all men are created equal…”• “they are endowed by their creator with certain

inalienable rights…” (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)• “governments are instituted among men deriving their

just powers from the consent of the governed…”• Whenever any government becomes destructive of the

ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it…”

Articles of Confederation (1781-1787)• Our first national Constitution• Created a confederate system (divided power w/ State

supremacy)• Written by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia in 1777• Ratified in 1781. • Required unanimous consent of 13 States

Articles of Confederation

• Create a “firm league of friendship”, not a union

• Each State retained powers/rights:– Coin money– Tax and spend– Regulate trade– Army and Navy of its own

Articles of Confederation

• Successes:– Land Ordinance of 1781: created townships in

Kentucky territories– Northwest Ordinance : outlawed slavery in the

territory and set up requirements for statehood.

Articles of Confederation

• Weaknesses of the National Government:– Inability of national government to collect taxes– National government cannot regulate trade– National government cannot enforce the Articles– Need unanimous consent to amend (13 of 13)– Each State gets 1 vote in Congress– No national law enforcement– No executive branch– No judicial branch– Laws need 9 of 13 States approval– Only a “firm league of friendship”

The Critical Period 1781-1789

• Why “critical”?– High inflation (increase in prices over 1,000+%)– Recession (economy has shrunk)– Massive war debt that we cannot repay (France)– 1/3rd of the adult male population has been killed

or disabled in the Revolution – Destruction of personal property during the War– Etc…

Critical Period

• Mount Vernon Convention 1785– Problem: trade disputes between VA and Maryland– Solution: 2 States should meet at Mount Vernon to discuss– Result: agree to stop taxing imports and exports– Significance: demonstrates that Congress was ineffective

Critical Period

• Annapolis Convention 1786– Problem: trade disputes between all 13 States– Solution: send delegates to Maryland to discuss issues– Result: none; decided to meet in Philadelphia in 1787– Significance: Congress too weak to solve national problems

Critical Period

• Shay’s Rebellion 1786– Problem: MA. Taxes result in foreclosure on

homes/farms of Vets of Revolution– Shay’s Solution: rebel against MA. Legislature– MA Response: “arrest” protestors (Shay and Vets)– Result: brief “civil war” – Significance: proved national gov’t was too weak

to force people to obey the law or protect property rights.

Constitutional Convention May-September 1787

• Purpose: to revise the Articles of Confederation and strengthen the government

• Delegates: 56 elected by each of the States to offer their States’ ideas to the Convention

Compromises at the Convention– Great Compromise (Connecticut or Sherman)• Issue? Representation in Congress• Proposals?

– Virginia Plan: 2 houses of Congress, representation based on each States population

– New Jersey Plan: 1 house; equal representation for each State

Compromise: *House of Representatives will have

representation based on population*Senate will have equal representation

*Everyone wins!

Compromises at the Convention• Executive Compromise– Issue? What kind of executive should we have?– Virginia Plan: one person should be elected at-large by the

people– New Jersey Plan: five people should make up an executive

TEAM and be elected by the State Governors– Compromise: one person will be elected indirectly by the

people through the Electoral College

Compromises at the Convention

• 3/5th Compromise:– Issue: Should slaves be counted in the census to determine

the number of representatives that each State has in the House?• North: NO!• South: YES!!

• Compromise: Slaves will count as 3/5ths of a person in the census.

Compromises at the Convention

• Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise:– Issue: how will the war debt be paid?– North: a property or sales tax on slaves– South: import and export duties– Compromise: no tax on exports and no restrictions

on the slave trade for 20 years (1809)

Significant Framers

• George Washington– VA Delegate– Elected President of the Convention– Got all 13 States to work together

Significant Framers

• James Madison– “Father of the Constitution”– Author of the Virginia Plan of Government– Kept extensive notes on the proceedings

Significant Framers

• Roger Sherman– Conn. Delegate who proposed the great

Compromise– Quaker minister– 17 children!

Significant Framers

• Gouveneur Morris– Wealthy Pennsylvania Delegate– Author of the Constitution– Wrote the Preamble

Significant Framers

• Ben Franklin– Oldest Delegate (80+)– Author, inventor, diplomat, politician, creator of

the post office, etc…– Kept all the delegates from fighting by singing and

telling off-color jokes

Significant Framers

• George Mason– Wealthy Virginia plantation owner– Refused to sign Constitution/ No Bill of Rights!– Worked with Madison to create the Bill of Rights

Who is not there?• John Adams: Ambassador to England• Thomas Jefferson: Ambassador to France• John Hancock: indicted for war profiteering• Sam Adams: lost election• Patrick Henry: “smelt a rat” and refused to attend

(knew they were going to ditch the Articles!)

Ratification

• Ratification means formal approval– Federalists• Who are they?: People who wanted the Constitution to

pass– Washington– Hamilton– Madison– Jay– Franklin

• What do they want?: stronger national government

Ratification• Anti-federalist:– Who are they? People who opposed the Constitution.

• George Mason• Patrick Henry• John Hancock• Sam Adams

– What don’t they like about the Constitution?• No mention of God or religion• Ratification process “illegal”• Denied States’ Rights• Too much power granted to national gov’t• No Bill of Rights!!!

Ratification

• Why did the Federalists manages to get the Constitution ratified?– People knew the Articles were ineffective– Good leadership (Washington, Hamilton, Madison)– People wanted a stronger national government– Poor economic conditions– The publication of the Federalist Papers

Ratification

• The Federalist Papers – Authors: Hamilton, Madison, Jay– Purpose: convince New Yorkers to ratify– Publius: the name they wrote under; “man of the people”– Propaganda: 85 newspaper editorials used to explain every

section of the Constitution in the common language of the day. Highly persuasive language was used.

New Government

• March 4, 1789 Washington is inaugurated as our 1st President on Wall Street in New York City

• Why V-P John Adams ? He lost the electoral vote• Why New York City? Largest city in US. Washington, D.C. has

not been built yet• Why move the capitol to D.C.? Compromise at the convention.

North gets rid of war debt, South gets Capitol

Reasons for creating a new government:

• The confederacy couldn’t effectively tax• Articles couldn’t protect property rights• US unable to respond to foreign attacks under

the Articles• Economic Problems

Main Effects of New Government

• New 3 branch national government created• National power increased dramatically• Government become effective (Executive!)• States compromise for common good• National Bill of Rights is ratified• Slavery remains legal• Political Parties begin• Regional conflicts escalate over power and States’

rights

Complete your test review, notes, and study for your test over Unit II.

Possible essay topics for Test

• Identify and explain 4 concepts or ideas that we borrowed from England to write our Constitution.

• Explain why laws codes are important today.• Identify and explain 4 rights that we borrowed for

our Bill of Rights from English documents.• Describe 4 ideas that Jefferson borrowed from Locke

for the Declaration of Independence.• Explain why we don’t know much about most of the

men who signed the Declaration of Independence.