Roots of American Democracy

1. Roots of American Democracy Enlightenment Enlightenment Philosophers (Locke, Hobbes, Montesquieu, Rousseau) Magna Carta Foundations of our Rights English Bill of Rights Parliament Common Law Colonial Period – Mercantilism Jamestown Colony – Plymouth Colony The 13 Colonies Colonial Governments French & Indian War Map of the Americas French & Indian War Maps Revolutionary Period 13 Colonies in 1776 US in 1783 2nd Continental Congress Treaty of Paris Articles of Confederation Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Major Issues Under the Articles of Confederation

2. ENLIGHTENMENT • During the Enlightenment Period many ideas that influenced the Framers of the United States Government developed. These ideas are seen in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Enlightenment Philosophers • John Locke – natural rights, purpose of government • Montesquieu – separation of power, checks & balances • Rousseau – consent of the governed

3. John Locke • Locke was an English philosopher who lived during the English Civil War. He believed that God granted man 3 natural rights (life, liberty, property). • Locke said that people entered into a social contact with their government. People agreed to pay taxes and follow reasonable laws. The government in exchange must protect these natural rights. • Locke believed if government did not protect these natural rights, the government had broken the contract. In this case, the people had the right to overthrow the government.

4. Thomas Hobbes • Hobbes was an English philosopher. He was older than Locke, but they lived at the same time. Hobbes described life in a “state of nature” as “nasty, brutish, and short”. • He felt that people entered into a social contract for fear of a violent death. Hobbes unlike Locke believed in the divine right of kings. This meant that the ruler obtained absolute power, and the people had no right to question his/her rule or revolt.

5. Montesquieu • Montesquieu was an important philosopher in the development of the American democracy. Montesquieu came up with the idea of a separation of power. • He felt that if one person obtained all power, there could be no liberty. He felt that there should be a separation between the legislative, executive, and judicial. Power should be a check on power. “Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

6. Rousseau • He was a Swiss-French philosopher. One of his most famous quotes was “man is born free, yet everywhere he is in chains.” • He felt that the strongest among men forced others to obey unjust laws. The only legitimate government was one that ruled with the consent of its people.

7. Before the Magna Carta The Monarch (King or Queen) had absolute authority. Decisions of taxing, use of the military, making and enforcing laws all were made by the monarch. After the Magna Carta A Common Counsel was created made up of Nobles (large landowners and church officials) Changes After the Magna Carta Taxes (consult common counsel) Must have witness to crime. Trial by Jury English Church free of Monarch Control Magna CartaThe Magna Carta is important because it represents the beginning of a republican form of government in England. Prior to the Magna Carta, England had an absolute monarch.

8. Foundations of Our Rights

9. ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS (1689)Between 1215 & the 1600’s the Common Counsel became a much more formal Parliament. The English Bill of Rights followed the English Civil War. This document transformed English Government even further than the Magna Carta. Parliament has following powers in English Government • Power to Tax • Make Laws • Control of the Nation’s Army

10. HOUSE OF LORDS Made up of Nobles Seat is Inherited HOUSE OF COMMONS Members are Elected Come from Towns & Cities throughout England Representative Democracy PARLIAMENTEnglish Legislative Branch (BICAMERAL)House of Lords & House of Commons

11. COMMON LAW • A system of law based on precedents. • A precedent is an earlier decision made by a judge that serves as a model for future cases. • Over time common law creates a system of consistent rulings. • English Common Law has been used in the development of contracts, marriages, etc… in the United States.

12. Mercantilism Economic Policy that a country should sell more goods to other countries than it buys. EXPORT > IMPORT Colonial Period Colony – A group of people in one place ruled by a government in another. European Nations began to colonize the Americas. Colonies provided mother country with a cheap source of raw materials, could then produce finished products to export to colonies, and other parts of the world. Mercantilism & Colonial Period

13. JAMESTOWN COLONY Representative Democracy House of Burgesses 22 Members - House of Burgesses were elected by colonists PLYMOUTH COLONY Colonists on the Mayflower signed a document called the Mayflower Compact. The Mayflower Compact created a direct democracy. Members of the colony would come together periodically, and vote on the direction the colony would take. Early English Colonies

14. The 13 Colonies

15. COLONIAL GOVERNMENTS

16. FRENCH & INDIAN WAR • The French & Indian War resulted from a land dispute between the French & the English. Fought in the mid 1750’s, the British came out of the war having gained territory in the Americas. • This war however had disastrous effects on the relationship between the British and the colonies. • Due to fighting with the French in the Americas and in Europe, England was in debt. The English felt that the colonies should pay for the French & Indian War. • The Colonists felt that protection was a part of the relationship between the British & The Colonies.

17. Map of the Americas • The following map shows European Countries and where each set up colonies in the New World.

18. FRENCH & INDIAN WAR MAPS BEFORE AFTER

19. CAUSES OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Navigation Acts (1660) Sugar Act (1764) Stamp Act (1765) Quartering Act (1765) Townshend Acts (1767) Writs of Assistance Proclamation Act (1767) Boston Massacre (1770) Tea Act (1773) Coercive (Intolerable) Acts (1774) Battles of Lexington & Concord (Massachusetts) COLONIALOPPOSITION Albany Plan of Union (1754) Sons of Liberty – Stamp Act Stamp Act Congress Committees of Correspondence Boston Tea Party Thomas Paine – Common Sense COLONIAL SOLUTUIONS 1st Continental Congress – drafted letter to King and Parliament demanding rights be restored. 2nd Continental Congress – DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE REVOLUTIONARY PERIODPeriod in the Americas betweenthe late 1750’s and the mid 1770’s.This period led to the Declaration of Independence and the Revolutionary War.

20. 13 Colonies in 1776

21. United States in 1783

22. 2nd Continental Congress • Declaration of Independence (1776) • Revolutionary War (1776-1783) • Articles of Confederation (1781) • Treaty of Paris (1783)

23. Treaty of Paris (1783) • United States gains Independence • British troops to leave US soil • United States gains land to the Mississippi River

24. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION GOVERNMENT • Congress – Each State had one Vote. Powers of Congress • Make Laws • Declare War & Make Peace • Make Treaties & Alliances • Borrow Money • Maintain Army & Navy • Other Less Important Matters

25. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation • Congress – Limited Powers (most needed 9 of 13 states to agree) • No Executive Branch – Enforce Laws • No Judicial Branch – Settle State Disputes • No Power to Tax • No Money = No Military • Amendments – Needed Approval of all 13 States

26. Major Issues under the Articles of Confederation • British troops have not left US soil. • French/Spanish will not allow use of Mississippi River. • Debts contracted during the Revolutionary War have not been paid. • Shay’s Rebellion. • Economy is very poor.