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The Creation of the Federal Government. Unit 2. Sec.1:Roots of American Government. A. An English Political Heritage 1. Many cultures settled here. Those from England came in greatest numbers. a. 1 st permanent colony Jamestown, VA (12 more) 2. English Principles influenced US Government.
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Sec.1:Roots of American Government • A. An English Political Heritage • 1. Many cultures settled here. Those from England came in greatest numbers. • a. 1st permanent colony Jamestown, VA (12 more) • 2. English Principles influenced US Government. • a. Limited Gov’t: gov’t is not all-powerful
1) Magna Carta: 1215, King John signed, limited King’s power. (taxes, cruel punish.) • 2) English Bill of Rights (1689) • a) Kings don’t have divine right • b) Must have parliament’s approval to suspend laws, levy taxes, keep an army. • c) Can’t interfere w/ elections • d) Ppl have right to speedy/fair trial. • e) No cruel/unusual punishment, right to bail. • b. Representative Gov’t: People elected to make laws. • 1) British Parliament: House of Lords/House of Commons
3. John Locke: writings became “textbook of American Revolution”. • a. All ppl were born free, equal, independent. • b. Ppl possessed natural rights. • c. Ppl contracted themselves w/ gov’t to protect rights. • d. If Gov’t fails, people should change it. • e. People had not agreed to be governed by tyrants who threatened their rights, but to rulers that defended them. • f. Gov’t legitimate as long as people continue consent.
B. Gov’t in the Colonies • 1. 1607-1733, 13 colonies founded, each had a gov’t w/ governor, legislature and a court. • 2. 3 types • a. Royal Colony: Ruled by King, he appointed gov’t. (except lower house of legislature) • b. Proprietary Colony: Single individual given charter by King to rule colony, Proprietor appts. the gov’t. (except lower house) • c. Charter Colony: Colonists given self-rule. • d. In all 3, people practiced representative gov’t.
3. Colonial Gov’t practices became key pt. of our system. • a. Written Constiutions • 1) Mayflower Compact (1620): Pilgrim pledge to self-rule. • 2) Fundamental Orders of Conn. (1639): 1st Written constitution in America. • b. Colonial Legislatures: commitment to rep. gov’t. • 1) House of Burgesses (1619) in VA. • c. Separation of Powers into 3 branches.
Sec.2:American Colonies Unite • A. American Colonies and Britain • 1. Function of Colonies: provide resources and markets for GB goods. • 2. Salutary Neglect: Hands off policy, as long as colonies were loyal & useful, GB let them control day-to-day events (3000 mile distance) • 3. Britain tightens control • a. Relations Change after Fr/Ind. War, Created war debt and land needing protecting=more taxes, more troops. • b. King George III (1760): Dealt more firmly with colonies (trade, inc. revenues) (stamp act) • -led to protests (Boston Tea Party/Intolerable Acts)
B. Colonial Unity • 1. Albany Plan (1754): Ben Franklin’s plan to unite to deal with problems, failed. • 2. Stamp Act Congress: Response to Stamp Act (tax on all paper/printed goods), No Taxation w/o representation, boycotting, smuggling, Son of Lib. • 3. Committees of Correspondence: Sam Adams, underground communications network so efforts could be coordinated.
4. First Continental Congress: Placed an embargo on Britain and issued ultimatum to King (Declaration of Rights and Grievances) • 5. Second Continental Congress: John Hancock, cen’l gov’t after Lexington/Concord. Helped prepare for war: appointed Washington, purchased supplies, borrowed $, started diplomatic relations, Declare Independence!
C. Independence • 1. Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense: most persuasive argument for independence. • 2. Declaration of Independence: written by Jefferson, based on John Locke • a. Established a new form of gov’t based on following ideals:
1) All men created equal. • 2) Endowed by Creator w/ unalienable rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness/property) • 3) Gov’ts are instituted to secure these rights. • 4) Gov’ts derive power from consent of governed. • 5) People have right to abolish bad gov’ts. • b. List of grievances against George III, shows how he violated political/personal rights. • c. Formal declaration of war: necessary after all other attempts failed.