2. What ARE some influences on the American form of government? Ancient Greece  democracy Rome  a code of laws Enlightenment  philosophers England  most settlers were from England—they brought their way of government

3. Limited government Government should NOT be all-powerful.

4. We elect officials to do the will of the people. (They represent us.) Representative government

5. English documents that influenced our government Magna Carta Petition of Right English Bill of Rights Enlightenment writings

6. The first written constitution in America The Mayflower Compact Written by the Pilgrims Massachusetts has the oldest Constitution still in effect.

7. The first example of self-government in the colonies The Virginia House of Burgesses Every colony had its own constitution and legislature before 1776

8. Separation of POW ERS Executive branch is separate from legislative branch. The judicial branch is separate too.

9. French and Indian War This event left England with high debt, and they began to tax the colonies. “No taxation without representation!” Worth mentioning because... ?

10. Ben Franklin He proposed a congress to meet and talk about the French and Indian problem. It didn’t succeed, but it was an important step toward unity. Albany Plan of Union

11. 1 st organized meeting to protest British policy 9 out of 13 colonies came They met to protest the Stamp Act Stamp Act Congress

12. First Continental Congress 12 colonies met (Georgia stayed home) Talked about independence a boycott

13. Thomas Paine He said it was only -- -- that the colonies should form their own union.

14. 2 nd Continental Congress President John Hancock* Named George Washington as commander-in-chief of the army Our 1 st (unofficial) government *Legend says that he wrote so large so that King George could read it without his glasses!

15. July 4, 1776 Author: Thomas Jefferson

16. We hold these truths... to be self-evident That... all men are created equal And are... Endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, Among these right are... Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

17. BliPS: what state constitutions had in common Bill of Rights Limited government i Popular Sovereignty Separation of Powers

18. USA’s first official government: The Articles of Confederation Strengths: CUB Could raise an army & navy United the States Borrow money Weaknesses: 1 vote per state No... Tax Executive branch National court All states needed for amendments

19. Shay’s Rebellion Angry Massachusetts farmers led by Daniel Shays led a rebellion because they were upset at farm foreclosures and other economic problems. The Rebellion showed that the national government could not raise an army for defense. It was weak.

20. Constitutional Convention Met in Philadelphia All the states but Rhode Island were there The Framers were 55 well-educated men; they are also known as our “Founding Fathers.” George Washington was elected to preside. James Madison is called the Father of the Constitution because he was the author of the basic plan. 1787

21. Whatever happened to the Articles of Confederation ??? They trashed it and started from scratch. The Framers intended to REVISE it, but instead...

22. ? First Question: representation Large statesSmall states

23. The Plans *the most important question: How should the states be represented? Virginia Plan Proposed by James Madison A bicameral legislature Representation based on population 3 branches of government New Jersey Plan Proposed by William Paterson A unicameral (one house) Equal representation A group of executives to be chosen by Congress. The executive would appoint Judiciary.

24. The Great Compromise* Senate Equal representation House of Representatives Representation by Population *proposed by Roger Sherman

25. 3/5 Compromise slaves would be counted as 3/5 of a person Slave Trade and Commerce Compromise Congress had the power to control trade But Congress could not interfere with slave trade for 20 years Second Question: slavery

26. “Constitution Day” As he went to sign the Constitution, Ben Franklin said the sun painted on the back of George Washington’s chair was a rising, not a setting sun. September 17, 1787

27. Ratification* *ratification: to approve (opposite of veto) power 1.How much power should the national government have? Bill of Rights 2.What about a Bill of Rights? 1.The Federalists stressed the weakness of the Articles; they wanted a stronger NATIONAL government. Madison, Hamilton, and Jay wrote The Federalist papers to support the Constitution. 2. The Anti-federalists insisted on a BILL of RIGHTS. Key Questions:

28. The United States of America Our first capital: New York City Our first president: George Washington