Constitutional Foundations for The United States Democratic Republic The Creation of a Nation

The Constitution is the Foundation of American Society Developed from 13 ENGLISH COLONIES American Political Rights and governmental institutions had 3 sources –1 British Influence –2 17 th & 18 th Century Enlightenment ideas –3 American Colonial Experience

British Influence Magna Carta 1215 – Limited the Kings power to rule Petition of Rights – 1628 – Established basic rights for the people English Bill of Rights – representative government & rule of law are more important than the power of the King

John Locke People are born with natural rights –Life –Liberty –Property Social Contract Theory = to protect rights people from governments Governments exist with consent of the governed

Baron De Montesquieu Balanced government works best Divide power among several branches –Prevents one branch from becoming too strong

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Governments rule with the consent of the governed People have the right to change their government (by force if necessary)

Voltaire Advocated right to free speech and religion “I may detest what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

Colonial Experience House of Burgesses – 1619 – Virginia –First representative government –New England Town Meetings –1754 Albany Plan of Union – Franklin’s plan – rejected - fear of loosing self-government

Economic Causes of Revolution Mercantilism Proclamation of (1763) – limited movement Sugar Act (1764) - Tax Stamp Act (1765) -Tax Townsend Acts – Tax Tea Act – British tea less expensive Intolerable Acts (1774)

Political Causes Lost control over King’s representatives Taxes threaten rights to property No voice in British Parliament

Social & Ideological Causes Colonists felt more equal to each other than their British counterparts 90% of all white males owned land which enabled them to vote Birth rate in the colonies produced many people who had no ties to England Great Awakening religious movement encouraged people to question authority

Colonial Response to Britain First Continental Congress (1774) – attempt to plan a united response to British actions April 1775 – Battles of Lexington & Concord - colonial attempts to arm themselves are frustrated – start the American Revolution June 1776 – Declaration of Independence proposed – becomes fact July 1776

Purpose of the Declaration of Independence Tell the world that the colonies are now a new Independent nation Explain and Justify to the world why this action was necessary

Three parts of the Declaration A theory of Government List of grievances against the King Formal resolution declaring independence

Key Ideas of Government People have natural rights Governments get power from the people, the consent of the governed If governments don’t respond to the people’s wishes the people have the right to abolish that government.