Brief History of American Government United States Brief History of American Government

Federal Government We have a federal government. The national government has certain powers and each of the 50 states have certain powers The division of powers was established by our constitution The U.S. has a democracy where government reflects the will of the majority

AMERICAN COLONIES 1700’S AMERICAN COLONIES SUPPLIED G.B. with raw materials for its factories-this made the British wealthy Britain needed a way to finance its war debts (French and Indian war) so they instituted the Stamp Act-tax on stamps, newspaper, legal documents and business agreements Many colonists boycotted or refused to buy British goods

History of U.S. Boston Tea Party in 1773 to protest tax on tea and British domination of trade Second Continental Congress –became America’s first national government (delegates from 13 colonies met in Philadelphia) George Washington was commander in chief Congress ratified the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776 cutting ties with Great Britain Declaration was written by Thomas Jefferson

Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War in the United States, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Thirteen Colonies, In 1783, the Treaty of Paris ended the war and recognized the sovereignty of the United States over the territory bounded roughly by what is now Canada to the north, Florida to the south, and the Mississippi River to the west. A wider international peace was agreed, in which several territories were exchanged.

Articles of Confederation Articles on Confederation was the U.S. first Constitution or government but it was weak-gave states too much power, no power of tax, no executive branch of government, , no way to enforce laws were obeyed (no president) Daniel Shay’s Rebellion-uprising in MA tried to prevent the state from collecting debts. Shay was a farmer and in debt( this proved the weakness of the Articles of Confederation) – This proved the weaknesses of the Articles and the need for the Constitutional Convention

Convention Convention in Philadelphia in May 1787, 55 delegates from 12 states (only Rhode Island did not attend) James Madison-Father of the Constitution It took 3 years for all the states to ratify the Constitution -by June 21m 1788 nine had approved

What was taking so long? Virginia Plan-larger states wanted 3 branches of govt. each state would decide representation by population or the amount of money the state contributed to the national treasury New Jersey Plan – smaller state wanted representation equally or 2 from each state Great Compromise – delegates agrees to a bicameral Congress 1. Senate 2 senators from each 50 states (100 Total Senators) and 2. House of Representatives based on states population (435 Total) Congress today has 535 members

Compromises 3/5 compromise- 3/5 of the numbered on enslaved persons could be counted for representation and for taxing purpose Connecticut compromise or Great Compromise Slave Trade Compromise Those who opposed slavery in the northern states wanted to bring an end to the importation and sale of slaves. On the other hand, southern states felt that slavery was vital to their economy and did not want the government interfering in the slave trade. In the end, the North agreed to wait until 1808 before Congress would be able to ban the slave trade in the US.

3 Branches 3 branch of government Executive-president-enforces the laws Legislative-Congress – makes the laws Judicial-Supreme Court-interprets the laws – 9 total justices

Checks and balances-check each branch of government so they do not become too powerful Bill of Rights- 1st 10 Amendments Amendment 1 – freedom of speech, religion, press, right to assemble 27 total amendments today 19th Amendment 1920 gave women the right to vote