American Government: Pre-Constitution

Britain settles America In , Britain sets up two colonies in America: Jamestown, VA and Popham, ME. Both colonies stuggle (Popham fails after 1 year), but the English continue their attempts and continue to send colonists over Colony: an area conquered and controlled by a home country; exists for economic gain ($$) -Example: Britain controls the American Colonies to make $$ from them By 1770s Britain has set up 13 permanent colonies in America

Jamestown, VA (1607)

Popham Beach (Present Day)

Quick Write: Name the 13 Colonies.... Can you name the 13 colonies? Can you name the 13 colonies? Make a bulleted list 1-13 and see if you can name them all. Make a bulleted list 1-13 and see if you can name them all. Bonus: Which colony was the first to become a state?? Bonus: Which colony was the first to become a state??

So, what did the Founders think about government? Founders studied many forms of govt. Founders studied many forms of govt. Mostly, they studied John Locke and the Roman Republic Mostly, they studied John Locke and the Roman Republic

John Locke Locke added on to the Social Contract Theory Locke added on to the Social Contract Theory “If govt. does not uphold rights and protect citizens, they have the right to overthrow the govt.” “If govt. does not uphold rights and protect citizens, they have the right to overthrow the govt.” The Founders used this reason to start the Revolutionary War!! The Founders used this reason to start the Revolutionary War!!

John Locke's 3 Natural Rights John Locke believed all people had 3 Natural Rights that all governments must protect Life: People want to survive and be as safe as possible Liberty: People want to be as free as possible, and make their own decisions Property: People want to own things necessary for survival, and want economic gain to make life easier

America & the King The Founders felt that England had violated their rights. They broke the social contract with King George III, and fought for independence in the Revolutionary War After victory, that founders needed to pick a form of government that would protect their rights and uphold the social contract Create a Democracy

How does a Democracy work? In order for a Democracy to work, 3 things must happen: 1.) Representatives must make decisions 2.) Citizens must participate & work with reps. 3.) Both citizens and reps. must work for the common good

Civic Virtue Civic Virtue: Citizens and reps put aside personal interests and work for the interests of the people (common good) ‏

Creating a Constitution Almost every country in the world has a constitution A constitution is a blueprint for how govt. should run A constitution answers questions about citizens and govt.

Ask a Constitution: Answers About Govt. How govt. is organized. Ex: Is there a President, Congress, Dictator, small group? How people are selected to serve in govt. Ex: How long should they serve? Are there elections? How govt. makes decisions and create laws. Ex: Law Enforcement, Court Systems

Ask a Constitution: Answers About Citizens Who is a citizen? Can citizens control the govt.? How does this “control” work? What rights & responsibilities do citizens have?

Main Purpose of a Constitution To limit the power of the person or group running the govt. Most important, a constitution ensures ways for these limits to be enforced

Quick Write: That's So Un-Constitutional What does it mean if something is “unconstitutional”? What happens if a law is unconstitutional? What does it mean if something is “unconstitutional”? What happens if a law is unconstitutional?

What is Higher Law? Higher Law: a set of laws that establish and limit the power of govt. Higher Law: a set of laws that establish and limit the power of govt. What is the higher law in the United States? What is the higher law in the United States?

The Limits of Higher Law Higher law limits the power of govt. Some examples: Giving Citizen's Rights: Freedom of Speech, Religion, etc. Conflict Resolution: must follow rules & procedures when enforcing law Eminent Domain: can not take property unless they pay for it and use it for the common good

Why did the founders write the Declaration of Independence? It explains why the colonists want independence from Great Britain. It lists 27 complaints against the British govt. Each complaint states how Britain violated the Americans rights. It summarizes the Americans basic ideas about government.

How is the Declaration Organized? There are 4 parts of the Declaration: 1.) Ideals – Beliefs of the purpose of govt. 2.) Arguments – Reasons why the colonists are breaking away from Britain 3.) Complaints – 27 complaints/reasons against the British govt. and King George III 4.) Conclusion – Official statement of Independence

Reasons for Independence People are granted Natural Rights, no govt. or ruler can ever take this away If a govt. does violate your natural rights, you have the right to overthrow the govt. The King agreed to protect the colonists natural rights in return for taxes and trade Colonists felt a series of laws, taxes and events violated their natural rights

Deserted Island Activity Please listen while Mr. Duran explains the activity and assigns roles to every student. Listen carefully when your role is assigned.

Timer It is your responsibility to keep track of the time. Each group has 15 minutes for each question. You must give your group a 2 minute warning when their time for each question is almost up. It is also your responsibility to raise your hand if your group needs help.This way the group can continue working until I arrive.

Recorder Recorder writes down the group's final decisions for either question 1 or for question 2. The recorder should also takes notes of anything important during discussion.

Reporter The reporter needs to report out the group's answers at the end of the activity. They may choose to report out or read the groups answers off their paper.

What's in a Quote? Please silently read page 43 in your WTP textbook. After you are finished, answer questions 1-3.

What does each Quote mean? Alexander Hamilton says that: If one group is given power, no matter how large or how small, they will inevitably abuse their power.

What does each Quote mean? Benjamin Franklin says that: The desire for power & money can/will corrupt people.

What does each Quote mean? George Mason says that: It is the nature of human beings to want more power and control.

Preventing a Govt. from Abusing its Powers There are two main ways that the founders used to prevent the govt. from abusing its power: 1.) Separate the powers of govt. into different sections (or Branches) 2.) Create a system of Checks & Balances so that no branch has more power than the other.