Origins of American Government Chapter 2

Section 1 The Colonial Period

English Heritage Limited Government: The power of the monarch is no longer absolute Magna Carta—1215—provided the basis for limited government Petition of Right—1628 English Bill of Rights—1688

Representative Government: A government in which the people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government English Parliament House of Lords House of Commons Influence of Locke

Colonial Governments Basis of modern day American government Limited democracy 3 key practices Written constitutions Elected legislatures Separation of powers

Written Constitutions Established a system of limited government and rule by law Mayflower Compact First example of plans for self-government Great Fundamentals First basic system of laws Fundamental Orders of Connecticut America’s first formal constitution

Elected Legislatures Basis in religious freedom Tradition established early Exemplified the concept of “consent of the governed” The Virginia House of Burgesses = 1st legislature in America JAMESTOWN

Separation of Powers Power was divided among the: Governor: King’s agent with executive powers Colonial legislatures: Passed laws Colonial courts: Heard cases *Served as a political “training ground” for our future leaders*

The Articles of Confederation Section 3

“League of friendship” between 13 independent states March 1781—ratified by all states Unicameral Congress which chose all executive positions No federal court system Central government very weak

Congressional Powers Make war and peace Send and receive ambassadors Make treaties 4. Raise and equip a navy

Appoint senior military officers 7. Fix weights and measures 5. Maintain an army Request troops from the states Appoint senior military officers 7. Fix weights and measures

Regulate Indian affairs Establish post offices 10. Decide certain disputes between the states

Weaknesses of the Articles Congress could not levy or collect taxes 2. Congress could not regulate trade 3. Congress could only ask the states to comply with laws

Laws need the approval of 9 of the 13 states* Changing the article required the consent of all of the states* *Each state had one vote No executive branch, only congressional committees No national court system

Achievements Development of lands west of the Appalachians Peace treaty with Great Britain Set the precedent for the creation of cabinet positions

Need for a Stronger Government States were arguing Major financial problems Shays’s Rebellion Annapolis Convention: Discuss commerce Philadelphia convention: Change the Articles to make the national government more effective

The Constitutional Convention Section 4

Organization George Washington chosen to preside over the meetings Each state has one vote on all questions Delegates for 7 of the 13 states had to be present for meetings to take place Closed to the public and the press

Areas of Agreement Desire to build a new government Limited and representative government Separation of power Stronger national government

Representation Areas of Compromise Virginia Plan 2 house legislature Proportional Representation Favored more populated states

New Jersey Plan One-house legislature with one vote per state Favored less populated states

Connecticut Compromise Two-house legislature House of Representatives: based on population *Advantage: Large states Senate: each state had two representatives *Advantage: Small states

Slavery, representation, and taxation South: Wanted slaves to be counted in the population, but not for taxation purposes North: Took the opposite position Three-Fifths Compromise: 3/5 of all enslaved people would count for both tax and representation purposes

Slave trade and commerce Congress cannot ban slave trade until 1808 Congress can regulate both interstate commerce and foreign trade Congress cannot tax exports

4. Slavery Left it to future generations to settle so that the South would accept the Constitution 5. Electoral College 6. Presidential term

Ratification 9 out of 13 states agree = Constitution becomes law Two political parties formed Federalists: Favored the Constitution as is Anti-Federalists: Opposed the Constitution because it lacked a Bill of Rights; Feared a strong national government

The Massachusetts Centinel Wednesday, January 30th 1788

Federalists promise to add a Bill of Rights 9th state = New Hampshire, but New York and Virginia had not yet agreed = Problem Last = Rhode Island New York City = temporary capital George Washington = first president 1791—Bill of Rights added