Origins of American Government

American Politics can be traced back far beyond the declaration of independence or the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

American Government can be traced back to England, ancient Rome, and ancient Greece 3 main ideas of government Ordered government— governments should establish rules that help people get along Limited government— government has restricted powers Representative government—government should serve the people

Magna Carta Petition of Rights English Bill of Rights Limited the Kings power Trial by jury Due Process of law No false imprisonment Trial by peers No quartering of troops Monarchs must also obey the laws No standing armies Fair trial No excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishment

All colonies were established on the basis of a charter, a written grant of authority from the king Royal colonies—under direct control of the crown bicameral Proprietary colonies—setup by a proprietor unicameral Charter colonies—self governed

The colonies were for the most part under the direct supervision of the Crown In practice, colonist self- governed Most regulation centered around trade King George III High taxes British troops Revolt

New England Confederation Albany Plan of Union British Acts Stamp Act Boston Massacre Boycotts

1 st Cont. Congress Intolerable Acts Philadelphia, nd Cont. Congress Philadelphia, 1775 Already fighting Delegates from every colony First National Government Served for 5 years ( )

Committee of five: Franklin, Livingston, Adams, Jefferson, Sherman Adopted July 4, 1776

Most of the states adopted written State Constitutions Massachusetts Common features: Popular sovereignty Limited government Civil rights and liberties Separation of powers and checks and balances

As the Second Continental Congress became our first government, there was no legal document to guide them.

Approved November 15, 1777 “Firm league of friendship” State’s keep their sovereignty Unicameral No executive or judicial Congressional powers Make war and peace, send and receive ambassadors, make treaties, borrow money, set up a money system, establish post offices, build a navy, raise an army by asking states for troops, fix standards for weights and measures, settle disputes among states State obligations—obey Articles and acts of Congress

Inability to tax Could not regulate trade 9/13 states needed to pass laws All 13 states needed to amend Congress could not make states obey their acts

The Revolutionary War ended on October 19, 1781 Peace brought the weaknesses out States bickered among themselves Shay’s Rebellion

Mount Vernon—Maryland and Virginia Constitutional Convention

The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia in 1787

Framers—delegates that met in Philly to write and approve the Constitution James Madison Ben Franklin Alexander Hamilton George Washington

Majority of states needed to be present to conduct business 1 vote per state Secrecy James Madison became the leader of the convention—“Father” of the Constitution Intended on abolishing the Articles and writing a new Constitution

3 branches—Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Bicameral legislature Representation based on population or money Executive was chosen by Congress National Judiciary (1 or more) This plan favors large or wealthy states Introduced by Madison

Unicameral Congress States represented equally Gives Congress power to tax Plural executive chosen by Congress Federal Judiciary (1) This plan favored the smaller states Introduced by Patterson

Bicameral Legislature Senate—equally House—population “The Great Compromise” Also known as “The Great Compromise” Introduced by Sherman Introduced by Sherman

3/5 Should slaves be counted in state populations? Which type of states did this favor? What are the implications? Tax assessed Commerce and Slave Trade Congress could not regulate trade Forbade Congress the power to tax exports Forbade Congress to interfere with the slave trade for 20 years

Ancient Greece Ancient Rome Contemporary Great Britain Montesquieu Jean Jacques Rousseau John Locke Own personal experiences

Federalists—favored ratification Anti-federalists—opposed ratification Two areas of debate: Increased power of the federal government Lack of bill of rights 9 states needed for ratification Key states—Virginia and New York George Washington The Federalists Papers The Federalists Papers

United we stand, divided we fall New York City became the temporary capital George Washington was elected president with John Adams as Vice president