Chapter 2: Origins of American Government

1. Chapter 2:Origins of American Government

2. Section 1: The Colonial PeriodAn English Political Heritage • It was the English who established and governed the 13 original colonies along the Atlantic coast. • At the heart of the English system were two principles of government. • Limited government • Representative government

3. Limited Government • The Magna Carta, or great Charter, that King John was forced to signed in 1215 provided the basis for the principle of limited government. • The power of the monarch, or government, was limited not absolute. • The charter also stated that certain taxes could not be levied w/o popular consent. *Petition of Right* *English Bill of Rights*

4. Representative Government • The colonist had a firm belief in representative government; people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government. • English Parliament • House of Lords • House of Commons

5. New Political Ideas • John Locke • All people born free, equal, and independent. • Rights to life, liberty, and property • If government failed to protect these natural rights, the people could change that government.

6. Government in the Colonies • Each English colony had its own government consisting of a governor, a legislature, and a court system. • Women and enslaved people could not vote. • Property qualification for voting *Key Practices* 1. written constitution 2. legislature of elected reps. 3. separation of powers

7. Written Constitution • Mayflower compact signed by Pilgrims (1620) first example of colonial government. • Puritans in Connecticut drew up America’s first formal constitution. (Fundamental Orders of Connecticut) • Colonial Legislatures • Virginia House of Burgesses; the first legislature in America (1619). • Colonial legislatures example of the consent of the governed b/c a large number of qualified men voted.

8. Separation of Powers • Colonial charters divided the power of gov’t. • Legislatures had the power to pass laws, and courts heard cases. • Division of power between branches of government.

9. Section 2: Uniting for Independence • Colonies to serves as a source of raw materials and a market for British goods. • Economic benefit of Great Britain. • Colonist grew accustomed to governing themselves.

10. Britain Tightens Control • Two events changed the relationship b/w the colonists and Britain. • French and Indian War; left Britain with large war debt that British expected colonies to help pay. • George III became king (1760); had different ideas about how colonies should be governed.

11. Taxing the Colonies • To help pay for war, the king and his ministers levied taxes on tea, sugar, glass, paper, and other products. • The Stamp Act; imposed the first direct tax on colonist. (legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, dice and playing cards) • Britain’s revenue, the money a government collects from taxes and or other sources, increased. • Political protest spread • Stamp Act repealed • Other tax laws passed • Boston Tea Party

12. Cont’d • In retaliation to the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts) • Boston Harbor closed • Quarter Act • Colonial Unity • Harsh new British policy spurred American sense of unity. • Committees urged resistance against British.

13. 1st Continental Congress 2nd Continental Congress 13 colonies met Assumed the powers of central government. John Hancock-President George Washington-commander of Army • Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774. • Imposed embargo; agreement prohibiting trade, on Britain. • Lexington and Concord “Shot heard around the world”

14. Independence • Committee asked Thomas Jefferson to write draft for a declaration of independence. • July 4, 1776 the congress approved the final draft of the Declaration of Independence. • Statement of the reasons for independence. *transformation of colonies into states*

15. Section 3: The Articles of Confederation • In 1777 a committee appointed by Congress presented a plan. • States wanted a confederation (“league of friendship”) among 13 independent states. • By March 1781 all 13 states had ratified, or approved the Articles of Confederation.

16. Government Under the Articles • Unicameral; single-chamber legislature • There was no federal court system • Each state had one vote in congress • Congress had only those powers expressed in the Articles • Make war and peace • Send and receive ambassadors • Enter into treaties • Raise and equip a navy • Maintain an army by requesting troops from states • Appoint senior military officers • Fix standards of weight and measures • Regulate Indian-affairs • Establish post offices • Decide certain disputes among states

17. Weakness of the Articles • Because each state had no intention of giving up its sovereignty to a central government, the Articles had weaknesses. • Congress did not have the power to levy or collect taxes • Did not have power to regulate trade • Could not enforce laws • Laws needed approval from 9 of the 13 states. • Amending or changing the articles required consent of all states • No executive branch • No national court system

18. Achievements • Establishment of a fair policy for the development of lands west of the Appalachian. • States ceded, or yielded their claims to the central gov’t. • Congress enacted two land ordinances, or laws, that provided for the organization of these territories. • Northwest Ordinance (1787)

19. Need for Stronger Government • States quarreled over boundaries and tariffs. • Serious money problems • Owed foreign govts and soldiers • Economic depression left many farmers and small merchants angry and in debt. • Shays’ Rebellion • Daniel Shays gathered a force of 1200 men and advanced on the federal arsenal in in Springfield, Massachusetts.

20. The Annapolis Convention • Called for constitutional convention • Alexander Hamilton persuaded other delegates to call for another convention in Philadelphia to propose changes that would make the nat’lgovt more effective.

21. Section 4: The Constitutional Convention • The Constitutional Convention began its work on May 25, 1787. • James Madison; known as Father of the Constitution because he was the author of the basic plan of gov’t that the convention eventually adopted. • Convention began by choosing George Washington to preside over the meetings. The Rising Sun Chair

22. Decisions and Compromises • The Virginia Plan– would give more control to larger , more populous states in a strong national gov’t • The New Jersey Plan– called for a less powerful government with more independence for states • The Connecticut Compromise • Legislature would have 2 parts • House of reps- based on population • Senate- 2 members from each state

23. Decisions cont’d • Three-Fifths Compromise; three-fifths of the enslaved people would be counted for both taxes purposes and representation. • Congress granted power to regulate interstate commerce; or trade among the states, and foreign commerce. • Founders compromised on the slavery in order to successfully create the new government.

24. Ratifying the Constitution • Put into effect June 21, 1788 The Federalist and Anti-Federalist • Anti-Federalists (against the Constitution) • supporters=inland famers and labors who feared a strong national gov’t • Claimed the Constitution was extralegal; not sanctioned by law. • Believed Bill of Rights was needed • Patrick Henry

25. Cont’d • Federalist (favored the Constitution) • Led by many of the founders • Supporters= merchants, city and coastal dwellers • Argued that w/o strong national gov’t, anarchy, or political disorder, would triumph. • Promised to add Bill of Rights *To help win the battle for ratification in New York Alexander Hamilton and James Madison published More than 80 essays defending the new Constitution; The Federalist.*

26. Launching a New State • New York City as nation’s temporary capital • George Washington—President • John Adams– Vice President • April 30, 1789 Washington took oath of office becoming the first president of the U.S. • First 10 amendments (Bill of Rights) ratified in 1791.