Roots of American Democracy

First Permanent American Colony Jamestown, Virginia. Many colonists in America practiced a different religion than the official religion of England, making them know as religious dissenters.

Early signs of Democracy in the Colonies Mayflower Compact: System of direct democracy, directly influenced system on New England Town meetings in which citizens discussed and voted on important issues. House of Burgesses: First representative assembly in Virginia.

English Abuse Power English began taxing American colonies heavily to pay for war debts. After the Stamp Act – which placed a heavy tax on newspapers and legal documents – colonists began to boycott English goods. Colonists had no representation in Parliament to oppose the taxes, so they greatly resented them.

English Abuse Power Pass coercive acts after Boston Tea Party – intended to “coerce” colonists into falling in line. Known to colonists as “Intolerable acts.”

Declaration of Independence Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson Influenced largely by enlightenment views on government. “The power of government should be derived from the consent of the governed.”

Revolution

Articles of Confederation Created to unite the 13 colonies against England for the revolutionary war. Set up a unicameral legislature in which each state had 1 vote. Allowed central government to control the Army and deal with foreign countries on it’s behalf.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Lack of Power and Money. – Congress had no power to collect taxes. – Congress had no power to regulate trade. – Congress had no power to enforce its laws. Lack of Central Power No single leader or group directed government policy. No national court system existed. Inflexible Congress could not pass laws without the approval of 9 states. The Articles could not be changed without the agreement of all 13 states.

Articles of Confederation Fail The colonists did not grant their new central government the power to tax because of their negative experience with Great Britain. Basically…the articles of confederation failed because it did not grant the government enough power. If a state didn’t want to follow a law there was no consequence.

Debt Under the A.O.C. Unable to collect taxes, congress under the A.O.C. had borrowed money to pay for the revolutionary war.

Lack of Security Under Articles of Confederation Shay’s rebellion, an uprising of 1,200 farmers against heavy state taxes, showed that a stronger central force to keep security may be needed in the future.

Setting up a New Constitution – 4 Compromises 1.“The Great Compromise:” counting representation in Congress. 2.The Three-Fifths compromise: how to count slaves towards a states’ population. 3.The Bill of Rights: protecting individual liberties. 4.Electoral College: the presidential election process.

Setting Up a New Constitution Virginia Plan Bicameral Legislature Representation in both houses based on states’ population. Large states favored this plan. New Jersey Plan Unicameral Legislature Equal representation for all states. Small states favored this plan.

The Great Compromise Bicameral Legislature. House of Representatives – Representation based on states’ population. Senate – Representation equal for all states. (2 Senators)

Three-Fifths Compromise Northern states did not have many slaves and did not want them counted towards a states population (and therefore representation in Congress). Southern states had a lot of slaves and wanted them counted toward their population, even though slaves could not vote and were considered property. Eventually the compromise was that 3/5 of all slaves would count towards a states population.

Federalists v. Anti-Federalists Federalists Supported a strong national government. Many wealthy land-owners who wanted a strong government to protect their property. Believed the Articles of Confederation showed the need for a stronger national government. Anti-Federalists Believed a strong national government would infringe on the liberties won in the revolution. Were skeptical of the system, believed it favored wealthy land-owners over the common people. Declared they would not ratify constitution without a bill of rights.

The Federalist Papers A collection of essays written in support of the constitution (and a strong national government) while it was under debate. Published anonymously, written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. Argued that a strong national government that properly protected individual liberty and the security of the people could be created.

Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments to the Constitution)

Electoral College Debate over whether president should be directly elected or chosen by the national congress. Compromise became the state legislatures voting for the president.