Foundations of Government NEXT

Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments The Main Idea Government plays an essential role in every country. A country's government affects the lives of its people. Often, it affects people around the world. Reading Focus What are two main types of government? What are the purposes of government? How does the U.S. government guarantee freedom to its citizens? NEXT

Governments are influenced by: SECTION 1 Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments Governments are influenced by: The people's beliefs and the country's history Dictators or absolute monarchs with authoritarian power Ceremonial monarchs with separate governing bodies The "rule of the people" in a democracy NEXT

Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments NEXT

Democracies 1 Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments There is no absolute ruler or absolute ruling body The people rule directly (direct democracy) or through elected officials (representative democracy or republic). NEXT

Roles of Government 1 Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments Provides a means for cooperation and unity among people Enables groups of people to achieve large goals Provides protection, security, transportation, monetary assistance, education, and health related services Provides laws and a Constitution NEXT

SECTION 1 Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments Question: How do a democracy, an absolute monarchy, and a dictatorship differ? NEXT

SECTION 1 Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments Question: How do a democracy, an absolute monarchy, and a dictatorship differ? Democracy In a democracy, all voters make decisions together and people elect representatives. Absolute Monarchy In an absolute monarchy, a king or queen rules with total control. Dictatorship In a dictatorship, a person or small group has absolute power and does not answer to the people. NEXT

Section 2: The First U.S. Government The Main Idea The American ideals that people should rule themselves and that government should protect human rights are clearly set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Reading Focus Why is the Declaration of Independence so important? What were the Articles of Confederation, and what were their weaknesses? What was the effect of a weak national government on the United States? NEXT

The Declaration of Independence SECTION 2 Section 2: The First U.S. Government The Declaration of Independence Upholds the philosophy on which the United States is based Is a statement of the American ideals Declares that the purpose of government is to protect human rights Stresses equality among individuals NEXT

Limitations of the Articles of the Confederation: SECTION 2 Section 2: The First U.S. Government Limitations of the Articles of the Confederation: Congress had difficulty passing important measures. There was no executive branch to ensure that new laws would be carried out. There were no national courts to interpret the laws and uphold them. A unanimous vote was required to make changes to the Articles of the Confederation. There was no money to pay for expenses or services. Each state regulated its own trade and had its own currency. Conflicts between the states and Congress developed. NEXT

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation SECTION 2 Section 2: The First U.S. Government Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation difficult to change Articles because unanimous vote was needed no executive branch to enforce laws difficult to pass laws because 9 out of 13 states' approval was needed no means to regulate trade with foreign countries lacked power to collect taxes no judicial branch to interpret laws NEXT

Effects of a weak national government: SECTION 2 Section 2: The First U.S. Government Effects of a weak national government: Had no power to operate effectively or settle disputes The country lacked a national identity. The states quarreled over boundary lines and trade. The country looked weak to other nations. NEXT

Question: What are the effects of a weak national government? SECTION 2 Section 2: The First U.S. Government Question: What are the effects of a weak national government? NEXT

Question: What are the effects of a weak national government? SECTION 2 Section 2: The First U.S. Government Question: What are the effects of a weak national government? Effects of a weak national government: Cannot operate effectively Difficulty settling disputes Lack of national identity States quarrel over boundary lines and trade Country appears weak to other nations NEXT

Section 3: A New Constitution The Main Idea The framers of the U.S. Constitution drew upon a history of democratic ideals while developing a document that would establish a new, stronger federal government. Reading Focus What historical principles of government influenced delegates of the Constitutional Convention? How did the U.S. government become stronger under the Constitution? How did the viewpoints of Federalists and Antifederalists differ, and how were these differences resolved? NEXT

Principles of Great Britain's government that influenced delegates: SECTION 3 Section 3: A New Constitution Principles of Great Britain's government that influenced delegates: Magna Carta—free people cannot be arrested without a trial by jury of their peers; Parliament's rights are protected; English citizens only judged by English laws English Bill of Rights—right to petition a change of laws; right to a fair punishment Parliamentary government—a bicameral body; a prime minister administers the government and can be replaced by a majority vote NEXT

The U.S. government became stronger under the Constitution. SECTION 3 Section 3: A New Constitution The U.S. government became stronger under the Constitution. A federal system was established. Powers included the coining and printing of money, raising armed forces, trade regulations, and levying taxes. Provisions for an executive and a judicial branch were established. NEXT

Differences among Federalists and Antifederalists: SECTION 3 Section 3: A New Constitution Differences among Federalists and Antifederalists: Federalists—strong national government would keep the country united Antifederalists—strong national government would not protect the people's freedoms and would take power from the states A bill of rights was proposed to outline the rights of the people under the Constitution. NEXT

Question: In what ways did the U.S. government SECTION 3 Section 3: A New Constitution Question: In what ways did the U.S. government strengthen under the Constitution? NEXT

Question: In what ways did the U.S. government SECTION 3 Section 3: A New Constitution Question: In what ways did the U.S. government strengthen under the Constitution? How the Constitution strengthened the U.S. government: Established a federal system Established an executive and a judicial branch of government Introduced the powers of levying taxes, coining and printing money, regulating trade, and raising armed forces Established a firm system of checks and balances NEXT

Wrap-Up Chapter 2 Wrap-Up What are two of the major factors that shape a country's government? How are a democracy and other types of governments different? What were the key purposes of the Declaration of Independence? What were some of the problems the country faced after independence was declared? In what ways did the colonists' English political heritage influence American ideas about government and individual rights? What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention? What were the arguments of the Federalists and Antifederalists? NEXT