Origins of American Government The Road to the Constitution

Fundamental Questions Why did the colonists form a United State of America? What was the purpose? What were the colonists attitudes and feelings toward government at the time? What did they fear?

English colonist brought three main concepts: 1. The need for an ordered social system, or government. 2. limited government 3. representative government

The way our government works today can be traced to important documents in history :

There were three types of colonies in North America Royal colonies –Ruled directly by the English monarchy. Proprietary colonies –The King granted land to people in North America Charter colonies (Corporate) –Were mostly self-governed, and their charters were granted to the colonists.

Obstacles for Unity – Why Unite?? Economic Differences –Fishing and industry in North –Agriculture in South Reasons for Settling –Natural resource use –Religion –Refuge for debtors

New England Confederation Defend against American Indians and Dutch Colonists The Albany Plan –In 1754, -Benjamin Franklin proposed the Albany Plan of Union, in which an annual congress of delegates (representatives) from each of the 13 colonies would be formed. -Rejected by Britain and colonists Growing Colonial Unity

Until the mid-1700s, the colonies were allowed a great deal of freedom in their governments by the English monarchy. In 1760, King George III imposed new taxes and laws on the colonists. In 1765, a group of colonies sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress in New York. Why Unite? Protection from British Colonial Policies

First Continental Congress The colonists sent a Declaration of Rights to King George III. The delegates urged each of the colonies to refuse all trade with England until British tax and trade regulations were repealed, or recalled. Second Continental Congress In 1775, each of the 13 colonies sent representatives to this gathering in Philadelphia. The Second Continental Congress served as the first government of the United States from 1776 to On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence. Between 1776 and 1777, most of the States adopted constitutions instead of charters. The Continental Congresses

Common Features of State Constitutions Civil Rights and Liberties Popular Sovereignty Limited Government Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances The principle of popular sovereignty was the basis for every new State constitution. That principle says that government can exist and function only with the consent of the governed. The people hold power and the people are sovereign. The concept of limited government was a major feature of each State constitution. The powers delegated to government were granted reluctantly and hedged with many restrictions. In every State it was made clear that the sovereign people held certain rights that the government must respect at all times. Seven of the new constitutions contained a bill of rights, setting out the “unalienable rights” held by the people. The powers granted to the new State governments were purposely divided among three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch was given powers with which to check (restrain the actions of) the other branches of the government.

Meanwhile, at the 2 nd Continental Congress Articles of Confederation Approved November 15, 1777 Est. “a firm league of friendship” between the states Needed the ratification of the 13 states March 1, 1781 Second Continental Congress declared the Articles effective

Articles of Confederation Activity

Articles of Confederation Powers of Congress: –Make war and peace –Send and receive ambassadors –Make treaties –Borrow money –Set up a money system –Est. post offices –Build a navy –Raise an army by asking the states for troops –Settle disputes among the states

Articles of Confederation States Obligations: –Pledge to obey the Articles and Acts of the Congress –Provide the funds and troops requested by the congress –Treat citizens of other states fairly and equally –Give full faith and credit to public acts, records, and judicial proceedings –Submit disputes to congress for settlement –Allow open travel and trade b/w and among states –Primarily responsible for protecting life and property –Accountable for promoting the general welfare of the people

Weaknesses of the Articles

Critical Period, the 1780’s Revolutionary War ended on October 19, 1781 Signed the Treaty of Paris With Peace comes hardships –Economic problems –Political problems –Problems a result of the weaknesses of AofC

Problems included –Central government who could not act –States entering into treaties –States taxing on goods and banning trade –Debts, public and private were unpaid Shay’s Rebellion –Farmers were losing their land –Shut down courts –Led an attack Critical Period, the 1780’s

NEED for a Strong Central Government Two states meet to discuss Trade issues –Maryland and Virginia –Meet at Mount Vernon The meeting was so successful that the Virginia General Assembly requested a meeting of all thirteen States, which eventually became the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.

A meeting in Philadelphia Mid-February of 1787 Seven states name delegates –Delaware, Georgia, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia A meeting: Constitutional Convention

Organization and Procedures Meet summer of 1787 in Philadelphia Elected George Washington as president of the convention Majority of States needed to conduct business One vote per State on all matters Majority of votes needed to pass proposals Worked in Secrecy

The question of Representation How should states be represented? By population? Or equally?

Virginia Plan vs. New Jersey Plan Virginia Plan Three Separate branches of government Bicameral legislature Based on population or money Members of House of Reps = based on population Senate = chosen by House from a list from the State Legislature Congress would be given powers it had under the A of C Veto any State law that conflicted with National Law New Jersey Plan Unicameral Congress of the Confederation –Each state equally represented Federal Executive –More than one person –Chosen by Congress/could be removed with maj. Vote Federal Judiciary –Single “supreme Tribunal” –Selected by Executive

Differences between the plans How should the states be represented in Congress? –Based on population? –Financial contribution? –State equality? 4 weeks they deliberated –Heated debate

The Compromises The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise) –Combination of Virginia and New Jersey Plans –Two houses –Senate – equal representation –House – proportional representation Three fifths compromise –Slavery was an issue-more so about population and representation –All “free person’s” will be counted; 3/5 of all other persons

Ratifying the Constitution Federalists –Articles of Confederation were weak –Argued for the ratification of the Constitution. –James Madison –Alexander Hamilton –Wrote 85 Federalists Papers Anti-Federalists –objected to the Constitution for including the strong central government –the lack of a bill of rights. –Patrick Henry, John Hancock, Samuel Adams

Activity A fictional conversation between John Jay and Elbridge Gerry

The Constitution is Ratified Anti-feds strong in Virginia and New York Great –Needed support of 2 large states Debates were held in both States, with Virginia ratifying the Constitution June 25, New York’s ratification was hard fought. Supporters of the Constitution published a series of essays known as The Federalist.

Inaugurating the Government The new Congress met for the first time on March 4, Congress finally attained a quorum (majority) on April 6 and counted the electoral votes. Congress found that George Washington had been unanimously elected President. He was inaugurated on April 30.