1. Foundations of Government
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2. Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
The Main Idea
Government plays an essential role in every country. A country's government affects the lives of its people. Often, it affects people around the world.
Reading Focus
What are two main types of government?
What are the purposes of government?
How does the U.S. government guarantee freedom to its citizens?
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3. Governments are influenced by:
SECTION 1
Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Governments are influenced by:
The people's beliefs and the country's history
Dictators or absolute monarchs with authoritarian power
Ceremonial monarchs with separate governing bodies
The "rule of the people" in a democracy
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4. Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
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5. Democracies 1 Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
There is no absolute ruler or absolute ruling body
The people rule directly (direct democracy) or through elected officials (representative democracy or republic).
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6. Roles of Government 1 Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Provides a means for cooperation and unity among people
Enables groups of people to achieve large goals
Provides protection, security, transportation, monetary assistance, education, and health related services
Provides laws and a Constitution
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7. SECTION 1
Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Question: How do a democracy, an absolute monarchy, and a dictatorship differ?
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8. SECTION 1
Section 1: Why Americans Have Governments
Question: How do a democracy, an absolute monarchy, and a dictatorship differ?
Democracy
In a democracy, all voters make decisions together and
people elect representatives.
Absolute Monarchy
In an absolute monarchy, a king or queen rules with total
control.
Dictatorship
In a dictatorship, a person or small group has absolute
power and does not answer to the people.
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9. Section 2: The First U.S. Government
The Main Idea
The American ideals that people should rule themselves and that government should protect human rights are clearly set forth in the Declaration of Independence.
Reading Focus
Why is the Declaration of Independence so important?
What were the Articles of Confederation, and what were their weaknesses?
What was the effect of a weak national government on the United States?
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11. The Declaration of Independence
SECTION 2
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
The Declaration of Independence
Upholds the philosophy on which the United States is based
Is a statement of the American ideals
Declares that the purpose of government is to protect human rights
Stresses equality among individuals
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13. Limitations of the Articles of the Confederation:
SECTION 2
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
Limitations of the Articles of the Confederation:
Congress had difficulty passing important measures.
There was no executive branch to ensure that new laws would be carried out.
There were no national courts to interpret the laws and uphold them.
A unanimous vote was required to make changes to the Articles of the Confederation.
There was no money to pay for expenses or services.
Each state regulated its own trade and had its own currency.
Conflicts between the states and Congress developed.
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14. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
SECTION 2
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
difficult to change Articles because unanimous vote was needed
no executive branch to enforce laws
difficult to pass laws because 9 out of 13 states' approval was needed
no means to regulate trade with foreign countries
lacked power to collect taxes
no judicial branch to interpret laws
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15. Effects of a weak national government:
SECTION 2
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
Effects of a weak national government:
Had no power to operate effectively or settle disputes
The country lacked a national identity.
The states quarreled over boundary lines and trade.
The country looked weak to other nations.
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16. Question: What are the effects of a weak national government?
SECTION 2
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
Question: What are the effects of a weak
national government?
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17. Question: What are the effects of a weak national government?
SECTION 2
Section 2: The First U.S. Government
Question: What are the effects of a weak
national government?
Effects of a weak national government:
Cannot operate effectively
Difficulty settling disputes
Lack of national identity
States quarrel over boundary lines and trade
Country appears weak to other nations
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18. Section 3: A New Constitution
The Main Idea
The framers of the U.S. Constitution drew upon a history of democratic ideals while developing a document that would establish a new, stronger federal government.
Reading Focus
What historical principles of government influenced delegates of the Constitutional Convention?
How did the U.S. government become stronger under the Constitution?
How did the viewpoints of Federalists and Antifederalists differ, and how were these differences resolved?
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20. Principles of Great Britain's government that influenced delegates:
SECTION 3
Section 3: A New Constitution
Principles of Great Britain's government that
influenced delegates:
Magna Carta—free people cannot be arrested without a trial by jury of their peers; Parliament's rights are protected; English citizens only judged by English laws
English Bill of Rights—right to petition a change of laws; right to a fair punishment
Parliamentary government—a bicameral body; a prime minister administers the government and can be replaced by a majority vote
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23. The U.S. government became stronger under the Constitution.
SECTION 3
Section 3: A New Constitution
The U.S. government became stronger
under the Constitution.
A federal system was established.
Powers included the coining and printing of money, raising armed forces, trade regulations, and levying taxes.
Provisions for an executive and a judicial branch were established.
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25. Differences among Federalists and Antifederalists:
SECTION 3
Section 3: A New Constitution
Differences among Federalists and Antifederalists:
Federalists—strong national government would keep the country united
Antifederalists—strong national government would not protect the people's freedoms and would take power from the states
A bill of rights was proposed to outline the rights of the people under the Constitution.
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26. Question: In what ways did the U.S. government
SECTION 3
Section 3: A New Constitution
Question: In what ways did the U.S. government
strengthen under the Constitution?
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27. Question: In what ways did the U.S. government
SECTION 3
Section 3: A New Constitution
Question: In what ways did the U.S. government
strengthen under the Constitution?
How the Constitution strengthened the U.S.
government:
Established a federal system
Established an executive and a judicial branch of government
Introduced the powers of levying taxes, coining and printing money, regulating trade, and raising armed forces
Established a firm system of checks and balances
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28. Wrap-Up Chapter 2 Wrap-Up
What are two of the major factors that shape a country's government?
How are a democracy and other types of governments different?
What were the key purposes of the Declaration of Independence?
What were some of the problems the country faced after independence was declared?
In what ways did the colonists' English political heritage influence American ideas about government and individual rights?
What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?
What were the arguments of the Federalists and Antifederalists?
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