U.S. Government

1. U.S. Government

2. 1763 restrictions and taxes on the colonies in America.. Colonists objected to all these measures, but the Stamp Act sparked the greatest organized resistance. The main issue: Taxation without representation • In October 1765, 27 delegates from nine colonies met in New York to coordinate efforts to get the Stamp Act repealed. They passed resolutions asserting the individual colonies’ right to impose their own taxes. Taxation without representation

3. Radicals try to keep controversy alive- they want independence. • Boston Tea Party- Dec 16th, 1773 • Townshend Acts (Intolerable Acts) • First Continental Congress 1774

4. The Revolutionary War began on April 19th, 1775. • Thomas Paine -attacked the idea of a hereditary monarchy. Paine presented two alternatives for America: continued submission under a tyrannical king and outworn system of government, or liberty and happiness as a self-sufficient, independent republic. Revolutionary War

5. Summer 1776 Philadelphia- Second Continental Congress • Thomas Jefferson along with a committee drafted the declaration • The document was adopted on July 4th, 1776. • Using French and British political ideas, especially those of John Locke, this document created a new philosophy on human freedom • America was still not free until the war ended on April 15th, 1783. Declaration of Independence

6. Articles of Confederation • No common currency • No national military force • No central government: no tax collection and little foreign policy 13 Colonies: Now What?

7. May 1787 • 55 delegates • Threw out the Articles of Confederation • New government based on separation of legislative, executive, and judicial powers Convention in Philadelphia

8. The colonists had the rare opportunity in history to create any type of government they wanted. Take a moment with your partner to discuss what you would put in your government if you had this same opportunity. Explain your choices. Activity

9. Strong central (Federalists) versus strong state government (Anti-Federalists) • Popular Election versus Election only by “educated” individuals • Equal representation versus representation based on size • Slavery • Number of states allowed in Questions for debate

10. The national government would have full power to issue currency, levy taxes, grant patents, conduct foreign policy, maintain an army, establish post offices, and wage war. And it would have three equal branches — a congress, a president, and a court system — with balanced powers and checks against each other’s actions. Compromise

11. Article One is about the Congress. Article One tells who may become a representative, and who may become a senator. It tells all the powers that Congress has. It tells things that the Congress may not do. It tells what the states may not do. Article Two is about the President and the Executive Branch of government. It tells who may become President and vice president. It tells the powers of the president. It tells how the President will be elected. Part of Article II was later changed to make the election system work better. It tells what will happen if the President dies or cannot do his job. It tells the duties and powers of the President. It tells how Congress can remove a president or vice president if they commit any serious crimes. Article Three is about the court system of the United States. It tells who appoints judges and how long they may serve. It tells what kinds of cases the Supreme Court may try. The Constitution

12. Article Four tells how the states are related. It tells how new states may become part of the United States. It guarantees a republican form of government to all states. (A government in which the leaders are chosen by the voters.) It guarantees that the federal government will protect all of the states against any enemy. Article Five tells how Congress and the states may change the Constitution by adding amendments. Article Six tells that the United States will pay its debts. It tells that the Constitution will be the Supreme Law of the Land. All the judges in all of the states must use the Constitution to decide cases in law. Article Seven tells how the states can ratify (agree to) the Constitution. George Washington was President of the Convention. He signed the Constitution. Thirty-eight delegates from 12 states also signed it on September 17, 1787. This date is now called Constitution Day. Eleven states soon ratified the Constitution. Two more states ratified the Constitution after the Bill of Rights was added.

13. Branches of Government

14. Constitution states that the judiciary power of the United States “be vested in one Supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may from time to time ordain and establish” • Chief Justice – John J. Roberts Jr. • Associate Justices- Antonin Scalia, Anthony M. Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel Anthony Alito Jr., Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, Judiciary System

15. President(Barack Obama)- Head of state, head of government, and Commander in Chief of the armed forces • Cabinet (heads of 15 departments) • CIA • EPA • Vice President (Joe Biden) • Be ready to take over as President • Preside over Senate Executive System

16. Senate- 100 members (2 from each state) • Approve appointments made by President (though House must also approve appointments to Vice Presidency) • Ratify treaties (though House must also approve any treaty involving foreign trade) • House of Representatives (435 members) divided among 50 states depending on their population + 6 non-voting members from Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and U.S. Virgin Islands • Speaker of the House (3rd in line for Presidency) • Powers: initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an electoral college tie Legislative BranchCongress

17. Checks and Balances