1. What did the founders think about constitutional government?
Unit 1 - Chapter 1
What did the founders think about constitutional government?

2. American diversity
The New World, prior to the revolution, were the most diverse colonies in the world.
No where else was represented with such a wide range of countries and people
New York was settled by the Dutch, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania by religious factions, and the Carolinas by rich plantation owners from the Caribbean.
Nearly every region had its own distinct culture, language, and habits.
All of this diversity led to many different beliefs on how to run a government, and a country.
What would be some of the different motives for colonists on how a government should function?

3. American diversity Economic:
Many colonists traveled to American in hopes of acquiring land. Most colonists came from England, which was roughly the size of Pennsylvania. Land offered them a chance to become rich in the common wealth (land)
The untapped natural resource of American land gave farmers the opportunity for expansion and an increase in profits.
Religious:
Quakers and Puritans came to America to escape persecution in England. Freedom of religion was one of the most basic rights American’s sought.

4. How did the founding fathers learn about government?
John Locke ( )
Philosophical Englishman
One of the most influential thinkers during the time of the Revolution
First appeared during the Glorious Revolution in England (Founding of Parliament)

5. Locke’s Political Philosophy
Natural Rights Philosophy:
Equality Under the Law: Race, Gender, Class, Land Ownership. White male land owners are equal (Radical thinking or the time)
Rights come from God: A higher standard. These rights cannot be taken away by any man (if granted by man they can be taken away by man).
This is where the term inalienable comes from - can’t be given away - rights are always there - natural part of you
Core Rights: Life, Liberty and Property

6. Nature of Government: Government only exists to protect the rights of people.
Authority comes from the consent of the people
The government serves us
If government doesn’t protect the rights of the people then the people have the right to change or do away with it.
Reading

7. How did the founding fathers learn about government?
The most common influence in the colonies was English Common Law
England came to dominate the colonies after several wars
Greek and Roman traditions were seen as the most important (as they were nearly every where in the western world)
Plato - “Those who govern must be wise”
Greek and Romans - Democracies can be currupt
How can democracies be a bad thing?

8. The Problem with Governments
Tyranny of the majority
Legislature - Majority sets the laws
They are free from check
“Thought Control” - Very difficult to hold thoughts outside the majority
Disdain for different opinions
News media says the same thing - Pressure to agree
Socially enforced through peer pressure

9. Winston Churchill
“Democracy is the absolute worst form of government except for all others which have ever been tried.”

10. Patriotism keeps people in line
U.S. politics are very narrow minded when thinking globally
Democrats and Republicans are very similar
Fascist, Communist, Socialist, Dictatorships, etc are very radical in our minds
We are in the middle of the social/political spectrum

11. ( )
AMERICAN REVOLUTION

12. American Revolution
Colonists could look at anything in history to use as an example to form their new government
Two main points were unanimously agreed upon
Government should be the servant, not the master, of the people.
A fundamental higher law, or constitution, should limit government
Reading

13. Declaration of Independence
Has no actual legal standing, it is not a legal document
It is a statement of goals for the United States
It is an explanation of values
An explanation of why they were separating from England
An explanation to the world
Equality under the law
Kings and peasants are equal under law

14. Declaration of Independence
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”
Where is this familiar?

15. John Locke’s Basic Theories
Core Rights: Life, Liberty and Property
Different than the Declaration of Independence
“Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”
Why?

16. Because it sounds better
Every man owning land was still radical thinking
The document is PROPAGANDA
It is a very broad document so you can read yourself into it
“The Pursuit of Happiness...”

17. The war has been won, now what type of government should the new United States have?
What are our options?

18. Monarchy: Rule of One
Usually in an absolute, totalitarian fashion
Aristocracy: Rule by a select few
Examples: Royal Families, Tribunals
Democracy: Rule by Everyone
Republic: Rule by few
Representatives of the people

19. Models of Governments
Monarchy: The most common at the time. King or Queen runs in an unlimited government
Republic: Government where political authority was exercised through the community’s chosen representatives in government
Democracy: Ultimate authority is based on the majority. The majority usually consists of the higher population in a class system

20. Constitutional Government
Limited Governments: Established and respected restraints on their powers, restraints such as laws and free and periodic elections
Unlimited Governments: Those who govern are free to use their power as they choose, unrestrained by laws or elections.
Constitutional Government: The powers of the person or group controlling the government are limited by a set of laws and customs called a constitution.

21. Constitution
A Constitution is a set of customs, traditions, rules, and laws that sets forth the basic way a government is organized and operated.
Some are written, partially written, or not written at all.
How do you think constitutional governments differ from dictatorships?

22. U.S. Constitution
Written so you can not make things up as you go along
Established by the people to show that the people are the center of power
Shows a single unified nation, not a nation of independent states
Allows us to function in a specific way
Establishes higher and fundamental laws that must be obeyed by everyone, including those in power.

23. Higher Laws Sets the basic natural rights
Sets the fact that the government will protect these rights
Private domain: Some areas of our lives are private and the government can not know about it or interfere with it
Higher laws which protect natural right are done through legal and organizational protection.

24. Preventing abuse of power
Checks and balances
No branch of government can operate without cooperation of the other two
Executive, Judicial, and Legislative
Congress may pass laws, but the president may veto them
The president nominates certain government officials, but the Senate must approve them
Congress may pass laws but the Supreme Court can declare them unconstitutional

25. Alexander Hamilton
“Give all the power to the many, they will oppress the few. Give all power to the few, they will oppress the many.”