Early Government 3,000 miles separated Great Britain and the American Colonies Mayflower, 1620 – male passengers had to sign a compact (contract) to a type of self-government... Someone had to be in charge Next 150 years colonists elected fellow citizens to decide local matters All matters had to be approved by royal governor

The American Revolution recap Colonists not represented in Parliament Most still loyal to King; valued British citizenship French and Indian War; Proclamation of 1763 Forced to house soldiers (Quartering Act) Taxes on necessities (Stamp, Sugar, Intolerable, Townshend Acts) Denied right to trial by jury

The American Revolution recap Outright rebellion April 1776 – Battles of Lexington and Concord Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776 Upon signing Declaration, each colony became a “free and independent” state with all the rights of a separate country

What is Government? Government – the formal institutions with authority to make binding decisions Determines way a country, state, county, township, city, or village is run

Purposes of Government Three or more levels of gov’t Government makes laws –Citizens must obey –Creates policies about everything connected with the daily life of a community Nation (Federal) State Town

Purposes of Government PurposeExample Maintain social orderPolice & Courts Provide public servicesHighways & Firefighters Provide national securityArmy & Navy Establish and regulate an economic system Banks & Currency

Purposes of Government Identify at least 10 ways the government is involved in our lives. Explore specific functions of government by visiting The Democracy Project and taking a “tour” of the town.The Democracy Project

Is Government Necessary? YES! Why? Without government, “man” may choose to act on greed and selfish passions which violate others’ liberty.

Founding Fathers a/k/a Framers George Washington Thomas Jefferson James Madison John Adams Benjamin Franklin Alexander Hamilton Patrick Henry Thomas Paine See page 145

Articles of Confederation War continues Treaty of Paris ends war 1783 Government divided between national government and state governments (13) See page 146

Governments share power National –Declare war –Sign treaties –Deliver the mail –Create money States (13) –Collect taxes –Issue money –Own militia –One vote in Congress See page 146

Articles of Confederation Congress passed Articles in Nov 1777 All 13 states agree 1781 (4 years!) Passed with difficulty –Land issues (western land had to be given up) –Voting issues (all states have one vote – big or small) See page 146

Northwest Ordinance Areas that are now Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota Described how territory set up government and became a state Freedom of religion Trial by jury Outlawed slavery See page 146

Weaknesses of the Articles Congress (national) gov’t could not raise taxes  could not pay massive debts (sound familiar??) Congress (national) gov’t could not control trade or enforce laws  could not resolve trade disputes between states Required all 13 states to approve changes in the Articles See page 147

Money Problems (already) After Revolutionary war, new country (USA) owed $42 million Much is owed to soldiers during and after war Soldiers received land in Northwest Territory instead Taxes high in many states –Rebellions against [new] government

Shay’s Rebellion Daniel Shay, Continental Army soldier (Patriot) & Massachusetts farmer Could not pay HIGH taxes, about to loose property (from not being paid) Organized group of angry farmers to steal guns from gov’t Were stopped by troops Alarmed people; no where to turn for help Shays' Rebellion Shays' Rebellion See page 147