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Impact of Colonial Experience on the US Constitution

This chapter explores the milestones in the colonial/early American era that shaped the US Constitution. It covers events such as the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitutional Convention. It also discusses important concepts like natural rights, social contract, and compromises in the drafting of the Constitution. The chapter concludes with the ratification of the US Constitution and the dispersion of power it establishes.

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Impact of Colonial Experience on the US Constitution

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  1. Chapter 2 The Constitution

  2. Impacts of the colonial experience • Jamestown – representative assembly • Plymouth – social contract with consent of the governed

  3. the Stamp Act the First Continental Congress the Second Continental Congress the Revolutionary War the Declaration of Independence the ratification of the Articles of Confederation Shays’ Rebellion the Constitutional Convention the ratification of the U.S. Constitution the Ratification of the Bill of Rights Selected Milestones in the Colonial/Early American Era

  4. Article II of the Articles of Confederation guaranteed that each state would retain its sovereignty. Figure 2–1 illustrates the structure of the government under the Articles of Confederation.

  5. Important concepts in the Declaration of Independence • Natural Rights – the idea that individuals hold certain rights because they are human; governments cannot take away these “inalienable” (can’t be transferred) rights • Locke describes these rights as “life, liberty and property”

  6. More important concepts in the Declaration of Independence • Jefferson describes these rights as “life liberty and the pursuit of happiness” • Social contract -- a general agreement between the people and the government, where the people agree to give up some of their liberties, so that the remainder are protected.

  7. Compromises in the Drafting of the U.S. Constitution • the Great Compromise – resulted in a bicameral legislature, with one house based on equal representation, the other on population. • the Three-Fifths Compromise – resulted in slaves being counted as “3/5” of a person for the purpose of determining population for representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

  8. Dispersion of Power by the U.S. Constitution • Federalism – sovereign powers are divided between the states and the national government • Separation of Powers – dividing governmental powers • legislative branch – is granted the power to make laws • judicial branch – is granted the power to judge laws • executive branch – is granted the power to administer laws

  9. Ratification of the U.S. Constitution • a comprehensive set of beliefs about the nature of people, institutions and the role of government • American ideology tends to be moderate • liberals advocate government action to improve the welfare of individuals • conservatives advocate a limited role for the national government.

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