Chapter 2 Origins of American Government Section 1- The Colonial Period An English Political Heritage (pages 35-38) An English Political Heritage (pages 35-38) The English colonists brought with them a heritage of freedom and principles of government that helped shape the development of the United States. The English colonists brought with them a heritage of freedom and principles of government that helped shape the development of the United States. The concept of limited government, dating from the Magna Carta in 1215, was an accepted part of the English system. The concept of limited government, dating from the Magna Carta in 1215, was an accepted part of the English system.

English Heritage cont. The Petition of Right in 1628 severely limited the power of the English Monarch. The Petition of Right in 1628 severely limited the power of the English Monarch. The King could not collect taxes anymore without the Parliament’s approval The King could not collect taxes anymore without the Parliament’s approval The King could not imprison people without just cause The King could not imprison people without just cause The colonists believed in the limits on the ruler’s power and the freedoms protected in the English Bill of Rights which was passed by Parliament in The colonists believed in the limits on the ruler’s power and the freedoms protected in the English Bill of Rights which was passed by Parliament in 1688.

English Heritage cont. The colonists firmly believed in representative government, following the model of Parliament. The colonists firmly believed in representative government, following the model of Parliament. A government in which people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government A government in which people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government The ideas of 17 th century English philosopher John Locke deeply influenced the American colonists. The ideas of 17 th century English philosopher John Locke deeply influenced the American colonists. He believed in the laws of nature which provided rights to life, liberty, and property He believed in the laws of nature which provided rights to life, liberty, and property

The Colonial Period cont. Government in the Colonies (pgs ) Government in the Colonies (pgs ) The present system of American government evolved from largely colonial governments and their practices. The present system of American government evolved from largely colonial governments and their practices. Written plans or constitutions were a key feature of the colonial period. Written plans or constitutions were a key feature of the colonial period. The Mayflower Compact that the Pilgrims signed in 1620 is the first example of many colonial plans for self government The Mayflower Compact that the Pilgrims signed in 1620 is the first example of many colonial plans for self government

Gov in Colonies cont. Representative assemblies elected by the people helped establish the tradition of representative government in America. Representative assemblies elected by the people helped establish the tradition of representative government in America. The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first legislature in America The Virginia House of Burgesses was the first legislature in America The division of government powers among the governor, the colonial legislature, and colonial courts helped establish the principle of the separation of powers. The division of government powers among the governor, the colonial legislature, and colonial courts helped establish the principle of the separation of powers.

Section 2-Uniting for Independence The Colonies on Their Own (pgs ) The Colonies on Their Own (pgs ) Although Britain regarded the American colonies largely as a source of economic benefits, it allowed them limited self- government. Although Britain regarded the American colonies largely as a source of economic benefits, it allowed them limited self- government. The British government tightened its control over the colonies after the French and Indian war. The British government tightened its control over the colonies after the French and Indian war.

Colonies on Their Own cont. King George III and his ministers made the colonies help pay for the war by levying new taxes on the colonists. King George III and his ministers made the colonies help pay for the war by levying new taxes on the colonists. Stamp Act- in 1765 required the colonists to pay taxes on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, and even dice and playing cards Stamp Act- in 1765 required the colonists to pay taxes on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, and even dice and playing cards

Uniting for Independence cont. Colonial Unity (pgs ) Colonial Unity (pgs ) Harsh British policies and taxes helped unite the colonies. Harsh British policies and taxes helped unite the colonies. To protest British policies, the colonists sent petitions to the king and also organized committees of correspondence. To protest British policies, the colonists sent petitions to the king and also organized committees of correspondence. Urging resistance to the British Urging resistance to the British Within a few months, Massachusetts have more than 80 committees Within a few months, Massachusetts have more than 80 committees

Unity cont. The First Continental Congress held in Philadelphia in 1774, debated what the colonies should do about their relationship with Britain. The First Continental Congress held in Philadelphia in 1774, debated what the colonies should do about their relationship with Britain. They implemented a trade embargo of British goods They implemented a trade embargo of British goods This led to the first battle of the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts in 1775 (“shot heard ‘round the world”) This led to the first battle of the Revolutionary War at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts in 1775 (“shot heard ‘round the world”)

Unity Cont. When the Second Continental Congress met in 1775, fighting had begun and Congress acted as a central government to carry on the Revolution. When the Second Continental Congress met in 1775, fighting had begun and Congress acted as a central government to carry on the Revolution. They chose John Hancock as president They chose John Hancock as president Voted to organize an army and navy Voted to organize an army and navy Started issuing money Started issuing money Made George Washington commander of the new Continental Army Made George Washington commander of the new Continental Army

Uniting for Independence cont. Independence (pgs ) Independence (pgs ) Thomas Paine’s pamphlet titled Common Sense strengthened the independence movement. Thomas Paine’s pamphlet titled Common Sense strengthened the independence movement. He argued that the British monarchy was a corrupt form of government He argued that the British monarchy was a corrupt form of government He also argued that King George III was an enemy to liberty He also argued that King George III was an enemy to liberty

Independence Cont. A committee of delegates to the Philadelphia Congress, headed by Thomas Jefferson, drafted the Declaration of Independence in A committee of delegates to the Philadelphia Congress, headed by Thomas Jefferson, drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Declaration of Independence cont. The Declaration set forth the principles for the new nation. The Declaration set forth the principles for the new nation. The Declaration had three parts: The Declaration had three parts: 1. A statement of purpose, including a description of basic human rights 2. A list of specific complaints against King George III 3. A statement of the colonists’ determination to separate from Great Britain

Declaration Cont. By the end of 1776, Ten states had adopted written constitutions, which were based on the consent of the governed, limited government, and the protection of individual rights. By the end of 1776, Ten states had adopted written constitutions, which were based on the consent of the governed, limited government, and the protection of individual rights. All 10 states recognized the people as the sole source of authority in a limited government with only those powers given by the people All 10 states recognized the people as the sole source of authority in a limited government with only those powers given by the people

Section 3-The Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation definition An agreement among the thirteen original states, approved in 1781, that provided a loose federal government before the present Constitution went into effect in There was no chief executive or judiciary, and the legislature of the Confederation had no authority to collect taxes.Constitution

Articles Cont. Government Under the Articles (pg. 48) Government Under the Articles (pg. 48) The nation’s first government included a single-chamber Congress with limited powers The nation’s first government included a single-chamber Congress with limited powers Each of the 13 states had one vote in Congress, but the government had no executive branch Each of the 13 states had one vote in Congress, but the government had no executive branch

Articles Cont. Weaknesses of the Articles Weaknesses of the Articles The Congress had to depend on the states for money and had no power to collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws The Congress had to depend on the states for money and had no power to collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws

Weaknesses Cont. Amending the Articles required the approval from all the states. Amending the Articles required the approval from all the states. The central government had no president or executive branch and carried out much of its work through congressional committees. The central government had no president or executive branch and carried out much of its work through congressional committees.

Weaknesses Cont. There was no system of national courts There was no system of national courts Instead state courts enforced and interpreted national laws Instead state courts enforced and interpreted national laws

Articles of Confederation Cont. Achievements Achievements Despite it weaknesses, the Confederation government established a fair policy for developing western lands. Despite it weaknesses, the Confederation government established a fair policy for developing western lands. The Confederation government signed the peace treaty with England. The Confederation government signed the peace treaty with England.

Final Achievement The Confederation government set up several departments establishing the precedent for cabinet departments later mentioned in the Constitution. The Confederation government set up several departments establishing the precedent for cabinet departments later mentioned in the Constitution.

Articles Cont. Needs for Stronger Government (pgs ) Needs for Stronger Government (pgs ) Soon after the Revolutionary War, disputes broke out among the states; the governments debt left soldiers unpaid. Soon after the Revolutionary War, disputes broke out among the states; the governments debt left soldiers unpaid.

Stronger Government Cont. Many were alarmed when an economic depression in 1786 led to Shay’s Rebellion, an armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers who could not pay their debts. Many were alarmed when an economic depression in 1786 led to Shay’s Rebellion, an armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers who could not pay their debts.

Stronger Government Cont. Leaders who favored a stronger government failed to accomplish much at the 1786 Annapolis Convention, but persuaded the Confederation Congress to call a convention in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. Leaders who favored a stronger government failed to accomplish much at the 1786 Annapolis Convention, but persuaded the Confederation Congress to call a convention in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation.

The Constitutional Convention Section 4 The Convention Begins (pgs ) The Convention Begins (pgs ) The delegates to the Constitutional Convention had great practical experience in politics and government and included many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention had great practical experience in politics and government and included many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. The delegates held their meetings in secret, deciding each state would have one vote, all decisions would be by majority vote, and a quorum of seven states was required for all meetings. The delegates held their meetings in secret, deciding each state would have one vote, all decisions would be by majority vote, and a quorum of seven states was required for all meetings.

Convention Cont. The delegates decided to give up the idea of revising the Articles of Confederation and to draft a new plan of government about which they shared many ideas. The delegates decided to give up the idea of revising the Articles of Confederation and to draft a new plan of government about which they shared many ideas.

Constitutional Convention Cont. Decisions and Compromises (pgs ) Decisions and Compromises (pgs ) The Virginia Plan proposed a strong executive, a national judiciary, and a strong two-house legislature in which the lower house would be chosen by the people and the upper house would be chosen by the lower house. This plan favored the large, more populous states. The Virginia Plan proposed a strong executive, a national judiciary, and a strong two-house legislature in which the lower house would be chosen by the people and the upper house would be chosen by the lower house. This plan favored the large, more populous states.

Decisions and Compromises Cont. The New Jersey Plan proposed a weak executive of more than one person elected by Congress, a national judiciary with limited powers, and a one-house legislature, with one vote for each state. This favored the small states. The New Jersey Plan proposed a weak executive of more than one person elected by Congress, a national judiciary with limited powers, and a one-house legislature, with one vote for each state. This favored the small states.

Compromises Cont. The Connecticut Compromise proposed a legislative branch with two parts: a House of Representatives with state representation based on population, and a Senate with two members from each state, regardless of size. This compromise gave the large states an advantage in the House and protected the smaller states in the Senate. The Connecticut Compromise proposed a legislative branch with two parts: a House of Representatives with state representation based on population, and a Senate with two members from each state, regardless of size. This compromise gave the large states an advantage in the House and protected the smaller states in the Senate.

Compromises Cont. The Three/Fifths Compromise settled the issue of representation in the House of Representatives, counting three/fifths of enslaved Africans in determining the number of a state’s representatives. The Three/Fifths Compromise settled the issue of representation in the House of Representatives, counting three/fifths of enslaved Africans in determining the number of a state’s representatives. The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise allowed the slave trade to continue until Congress was forbidden to tax exports and was granted power to regulate both interstate commerce and trade with other nations. The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise allowed the slave trade to continue until Congress was forbidden to tax exports and was granted power to regulate both interstate commerce and trade with other nations.

Compromises Cont. Although many Northern delegates wanted to end slavery, they realized that if they insisted on doing so, the Southern states would never accept the Constitution and the nation would face an uncertain future. The Founders compromised and refused to deal with slavery in the Constitution. Although many Northern delegates wanted to end slavery, they realized that if they insisted on doing so, the Southern states would never accept the Constitution and the nation would face an uncertain future. The Founders compromised and refused to deal with slavery in the Constitution.

Compromise Cont. The delegates agreed to other compromises as well, including a four-year term of the president and an Electoral College rather than a direct election of the president. The delegates agreed to other compromises as well, including a four-year term of the president and an Electoral College rather than a direct election of the president.

Constitutional Convention Cont. Constitutional Convention Cont. Ratifying the Constitution Ratifying the Constitution Supporters and opponents of the Constitution began a great debate over whether to accept or reject it. Supporters and opponents of the Constitution began a great debate over whether to accept or reject it. The Federalists who urged ratification argued that a strong national government was badly needed to solve the nation’s problems and to deal with foreign countries; without the Constitution, disorder or anarchy would undermine the nation. The Federalists who urged ratification argued that a strong national government was badly needed to solve the nation’s problems and to deal with foreign countries; without the Constitution, disorder or anarchy would undermine the nation.

Ratifying Cont. The Anti-Federalists who opposed ratification argued that the delegates had drafted a Constitution in secret and had been given no power to replace the Articles. They contended that the Constitution took important powers away from the states and lacked a Bill of Rights. The Anti-Federalists who opposed ratification argued that the delegates had drafted a Constitution in secret and had been given no power to replace the Articles. They contended that the Constitution took important powers away from the states and lacked a Bill of Rights. When the Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights, and the small states learned more about the Connecticut Compromise, the battle over ratification was finally won. When the Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights, and the small states learned more about the Connecticut Compromise, the battle over ratification was finally won.

Ratifying last slide The new national government was launched in 1789 when Congress met for the first time in New York City. The new national government was launched in 1789 when Congress met for the first time in New York City. Soon after that George Washington took the oath of office as president of the United States. Soon after that George Washington took the oath of office as president of the United States.