1. The Constitution Chapter 2 Edwards, Wattenberg, and Lineberry
Government in America: People, Politics, and Policy
Fourteenth Edition
Chapter 2
The Constitution
Copyright © 2009 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman.

2. Constitution Constitution - a nation’s basic law.
Creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens.
Sets the broad rules of the game
Rules are not neutral; some participants and policy options have advantages

3. Origins of the Constitution

4. Origins of the Constitution
Road to Revolution
Tax increases after the Seven Years’ War
Stamp Act specifically
No direct representation in parliament.
Continental Congress
formed to address
abuses of the English
Crown.

5. Origins of the Constitution
Second Continental Congress convened in Philly 10 May 1775 – less than a month after Lexington and Concord
Olive Branch Petition – effort to avoid full scale war
Continental
Congress
continued to
claim loyalty
to Britain

6. Thomas Paine and Common Sense
Colonies need independence,
not improved representation
Origin and Design of Gov’t
Elections right for all gov’ts
Of Monarchy and Succession
Hereditary kings do not represent the
people
“Of more worth is one honest man to society
and in the sight of God, than all the crowned
ruffians that ever lived.”
Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs
Freedom is the key to the future not improved representation
On the Present Ability of America
Colonies are capable to survive on their own b/c of natural resources and population

7. Origins of the Constitution
Declaring Independence
May and June 1776, Continental Congress debated resolutions for independence
Declaration of Independence – listed the colonists grievances against the British –adopted on 4 July 1776
Declaration was a polemic, announcing and justifying revolution to the rest of the world

8. Origins of the Constitution
The English Bill of Rights (1689)
Laid out rights citizens of a free and democratic society should have
Natural rights: rights inherent in human beings
Consent of governed:
Gov’t responds to
people, not themselves
Limited Government:
restrictions should be
placed to protect natural
rights

9. Origins of the Constitution
Winning Independence
1783, the American colonies prevailed in their war against England.
“Conservative” Revolution
Restored rights the colonists felt they had lost
Not a major change of lifestyles

10. The Government That Failed
Articles of Confederation
First document to govern the United States,
Adopted 1777; ratified in 1781
All states needed to ratify
Established a confederation, among 13 states and former colonies.
Congress had few powers
No president or nat’l court system
All gov’t power rested w/ states

11. The Government That Failed
Economic Turmoil
Postwar depression left farmers unable to pay debts
Sympathetic states favored debtors
Shays’ Rebellion
Attacks on courthouses to block foreclosures
Led by Daniel Shays
Questioned ability of states to keep order
Economic elite concerned about Articles’inability protect property rights