Basic Concepts of Governments Ordered Government- establishing local governments (ex) sheriff, justice of the peace, counties, townships Ordered Government- establishing local governments (ex) sheriff, justice of the peace, counties, townships Limited Government- the government is not all powerful, and individuals have rights that government cannot take away Limited Government- the government is not all powerful, and individuals have rights that government cannot take away Representative Government- government should serve the will of the people, Government of, by, and for the people Representative Government- government should serve the will of the people, Government of, by, and for the people

Landmark English Documents  Magna Carta – “Great Charter”, protection against the arbitrary taking of life, liberty and property, Established the principle that the power of the King was not absolute.  Petition of Right – limited the King’s power in many ways (unlawful imprisonment, not impose martial law, not required to shelter soldiers), Challenged the idea of the divine right of kings- even a monarch must obey the law of the land.  English Bill of Rights - To prevent abuse of power, parliamentary elections be free, no standing army, right to fair trail, no cruel and unusual punishment

The English Colonies  Royal Colonies-  Royal Colonies- Subject to direct control of the Crown, Governor appointed by King, NH, Mass, NY, NJ, VA, NC, SC, and GA  Proprietary Colonies- organized by a proprietor, person to whom the king made a grant of land too. Proprietor appointed Governor, MD, PA, and Del.  Charter Colonies- Charters granted to colonists themselves, self- governed, Conn and RI.

The Coming of Independence  The Albany Plan- Ben Franklin proposed the formation of an annual congress of delegates from each of the 13 colonies. That body would have the power to raise military and naval forces, make war and peace with the Native Americans, regulate trade, tax, and collect custom duties. Turned down by the colonies and the Crown.  First Continental Congress- Delegates from every colony met in Philadelphia on Sept. 5 th Sent a Declaration of Rights, protesting Great Britain’s colonial practices, to King George III  2 nd Continental Congress – Met in Philadelphia on May American Revolution had started 3 weeks earlier. Continental Army was created, served as the first government of the U.S. for five years

The Declaration of Independence  Adopted on July 4 th 1776  Proclaimed the existence of the new nation  Mainly a list of complaints of wrong doings that led the colonists to revolt  The 13 colonies became free and independent states  56 men signed the document

Articles of Confederation  Approved on November 15 th 1777, Ratified on March 1 st  Established a firm league of friendship among the States  Weaknesses of Articles  One vote per state regardless of size  Congress powerless to collect taxes or duties  No national court system  Amendment only with consent of all states  No power to regulate trade between states  No power to make states obey the Articles

Virginia Plan  Called for three separate branches of Government  Bicameral Congress  Representation of each house based on population or money it gave for support of central government  Supported by large states  Congress would choose a “National Executive” and “National Judiciary”  Also create a new constitution by revising the Articles

The New Jersey Plan  Retained a unicameral Congress  Each state equally represented  “Federal Executive” of more than one person  Favored by small states

Connecticut Compromise  Congress would be composed of two houses  States represented equally in the Senate  House based off the states population  Known as the “Great Compromise”

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalist  Federalists  those in favor of ratification of Constitution  Anti-Federalists  Those against ratification of the Constitution