Chapter 2 NotesChapter 2 Notes

Political Heritage from EnglandPolitical Heritage from England

1.1. Limited GovernmentLimited Government Concept first introduced in the Concept first introduced in the Magna CartaMagna Carta

Guideline for the development of democracyGuideline for the development of democracy American Revolution occurred b/c the American Revolution occurred b/c the

colonists felt that their basic rights were colonists felt that their basic rights were being denied.being denied.

2.2. Representative GovernmentRepresentative Government Strong support in the idea of having people Strong support in the idea of having people

elect delegates to make laws and conduct elect delegates to make laws and conduct government.government.

Why is the Magna Carta important to Why is the Magna Carta important to the history of England?the history of England?

Why is this document important to Why is this document important to America? America?

The charter is considered to be the beginning of constitutional government in England.

The Magna Carta demonstrated that the power of the king could be limited by a written grant.

Political Heritage from EnglandPolitical Heritage from England

3. English Bill of Rights3. English Bill of RightsSet clear limits on what a ruler could and Set clear limits on what a ruler could and

could not docould not doMonarchs do not have a divine right to ruleMonarchs do not have a divine right to ruleMonarch can not interfere with ParliamentMonarch can not interfere with ParliamentPeople have a right to a fair and speedy trial by People have a right to a fair and speedy trial by

juryjuryPeople can not be given cruel and unusual People can not be given cruel and unusual

punishments with excessive bail and finespunishments with excessive bail and fines

Political Heritage from EnglandPolitical Heritage from England

4. 4. Ordered GovernmentOrdered Government Colonists wanted structure when it came to Colonists wanted structure when it came to

relationships with one anotherrelationships with one another

5. 5. Many of the ideas came from the writing of John Locke.Many of the ideas came from the writing of John Locke. All people were born free, equal, and independentAll people were born free, equal, and independent All people had a right to life, liberty and property.All people had a right to life, liberty and property. Government should stay in power only if the people Government should stay in power only if the people

consent to it. consent to it.

Colonial GovernmentsColonial Governments

Written ConstitutionsWritten ConstitutionsAll Colonies had one in some formAll Colonies had one in some formThe first formal constitution was the The first formal constitution was the

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Colonial LegislaturesColonial Legislatures

Helped to establish representative Helped to establish representative government in Americagovernment in America

There were qualification to be able to vote, There were qualification to be able to vote, but a large number of men were able to votebut a large number of men were able to vote

Colonial GovernmentColonial Government

Separation of PowersSeparation of PowersDivided the power of governmentsDivided the power of governmentsThe Executive power was given to the king’s The Executive power was given to the king’s

agents in the coloniesagents in the coloniesThe Legislative power was given to the The Legislative power was given to the

colonial legislaturescolonial legislatures

Theory Vs. RealityTheory Vs. Reality

In theory, colonies were governed In theory, colonies were governed by England and the crown by England and the crown believed existed for the benefit of believed existed for the benefit of EnglandEngland

In practice, the colonies were In practice, the colonies were self-governing.self-governing.

Reigns are tightenedReigns are tightened

By the 1760s England began to By the 1760s England began to tighten it’s grip on the colonies.tighten it’s grip on the colonies.George III became the king in George III became the king in

1760.1760.England had ran up their national England had ran up their national

debt from the French and Indian debt from the French and Indian War.War.

Events leading to the RevolutionEvents leading to the Revolution

Stamp ActStamp ActColonial taxes increased to pay off Colonial taxes increased to pay off

war debt England had incurred war debt England had incurred ((taxation w/o representationtaxation w/o representation))

Colonies boycotted English goods.Colonies boycotted English goods.11stst time colonies stood up to Britain. time colonies stood up to Britain.

Colonists began to think of themselves Colonists began to think of themselves as Americans rather than British.as Americans rather than British.

Events leading to the RevolutionEvents leading to the Revolution Intolerable Acts Intolerable Acts (English called them the (English called them the

Coercive Acts)Coercive Acts)Closed the port of BostonClosed the port of BostonWithdrew the right of Massachusetts Withdrew the right of Massachusetts

colony to govern itself.colony to govern itself.It was response to the Boston Tea PartyIt was response to the Boston Tea PartyActivated military rule on the coloniesActivated military rule on the colonies

The Colonies UniteThe Colonies Unite

Committees of Correspondence were Committees of Correspondence were organizations set up trying to increase resistance organizations set up trying to increase resistance to the Britishto the British

11stst Continental Congress (1774) Continental Congress (1774)Delegates of all the colonies, except Georgia, Delegates of all the colonies, except Georgia,

attended the meeting in Philadelphiaattended the meeting in PhiladelphiaDelegates wrote up a Declaration of Rights Delegates wrote up a Declaration of Rights

protesting England’s policies.protesting England’s policies.Delegates set up a boycott on British goods or Delegates set up a boycott on British goods or

an an embargoembargo..

The Colonies UniteThe Colonies Unite Rebellion! British Redcoats clashed with colonial Rebellion! British Redcoats clashed with colonial

minutemen at Lexington and Concord in minutemen at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts.Massachusetts.

22ndnd Continental Congress (1775) Continental Congress (1775)Revolutionary War had already began as the colonies Revolutionary War had already began as the colonies

met.met.The delegates voted to:The delegates voted to:

Make John Hancock its PresidentMake John Hancock its President

Organize an armyOrganize an army

Appoint George Washington as Commander-in-ChiefAppoint George Washington as Commander-in-Chief

Served as our first national government although it had no Served as our first national government although it had no constitutional authorityconstitutional authority

IndependenceIndependence

Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of IndependenceWritten by Written by Thomas JeffersonThomas JeffersonApproved on July 4, 1776Approved on July 4, 1776Declared to the world the intent of the Declared to the world the intent of the

colonies was to gain complete independence colonies was to gain complete independence of Englandof England

Three Parts:Three Parts:Statement of purpose and basic human rightsStatement of purpose and basic human rightsSpecific complaints against the kingSpecific complaints against the kingThe Colonies plan to separate from EnglandThe Colonies plan to separate from England

Need for a strong governmentNeed for a strong government While gaining the independence the states found out that While gaining the independence the states found out that

they needed a stronger and more lasting government they needed a stronger and more lasting government than what was provided in the 2than what was provided in the 2ndnd Continental Congress. Continental Congress.

It was a “league of friendship”It was a “league of friendship” By March 1781 all 13 states had ratified the By March 1781 all 13 states had ratified the Articles of Confederation – Our nation’s first constitution.Articles of Confederation – Our nation’s first constitution.

• Unicameral, or single chamber, Congress w/ no president•Each state had one vote in Congress•No federal court system, Congress settled disputes•Committee of States managed the government when Congress was not assembled.

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

StrengthsStrengths The establishment of a The establishment of a

fair policy for the fair policy for the development of the lands development of the lands west of the Apalachians.west of the Apalachians.

Declare warDeclare war Make treatiesMake treaties Build an army and a navyBuild an army and a navy Set up a monetary Set up a monetary

systemsystem Settle disputes among Settle disputes among

statesstates Created a unicameral Created a unicameral

CongressCongress

WeaknessesWeaknesses One vote per state One vote per state

regardless of populationregardless of population Could not collect taxes Could not collect taxes

(would have to borrow (would have to borrow the money from the the money from the states)states)

Could not regulate tradeCould not regulate trade No executive branchNo executive branch No judicial branchNo judicial branch Congress only had the Congress only had the

power to advise states to power to advise states to enforce their lawsenforce their laws

All states must approve All states must approve any changes made to the any changes made to the ArticlesArticles

AchievementsAchievements

Established a fair policy for developing Established a fair policy for developing western lands-These two land ordinances, western lands-These two land ordinances, or lawsor laws

Forged a peace treaty with Great BritainForged a peace treaty with Great BritainSet up departments of Foreign Affairs, Set up departments of Foreign Affairs,

War, Marine, and TreasuryWar, Marine, and Treasury

Problems facing the nationProblems facing the nation

Disputes over boundary lines and tariffs Disputes over boundary lines and tariffs paid to other statespaid to other states

Government owed huge debts to other Government owed huge debts to other nations and had no power to raise moneynations and had no power to raise money

Economic depression of 1786 left many Economic depression of 1786 left many with debts and no way to repay themwith debts and no way to repay them

When the Revolutionary War ended it When the Revolutionary War ended it became very evident that the Articles was became very evident that the Articles was not going to work. (ex. Shay’s Rebellion)not going to work. (ex. Shay’s Rebellion)

The states faced growing financial The states faced growing financial troubles. By 1786 an economic depression troubles. By 1786 an economic depression had left many farmers and small had left many farmers and small merchants angry and in debt. merchants angry and in debt.

Shays’s RebellionShays’s Rebellion These economic troubles led to rebellion. Armed These economic troubles led to rebellion. Armed

groups of farmers forced several courts to close in groups of farmers forced several courts to close in order to prevent farm foreclosures and the loss of order to prevent farm foreclosures and the loss of their farms. Daniel Shays led a band that closed their farms. Daniel Shays led a band that closed the Massachusetts state supreme court. The the Massachusetts state supreme court. The Massachusetts militia put down the rebellion, but Massachusetts militia put down the rebellion, but the armed unrest frightened American leaders. the armed unrest frightened American leaders. Henry Knox, later the nation’s first secretary of war, Henry Knox, later the nation’s first secretary of war, echoed the growing number of Americans who echoed the growing number of Americans who wanted a strong national government.wanted a strong national government.

The Annapolis ConventionThe Annapolis Convention

This meeting was set up discuss This meeting was set up discuss commerce between states. They commerce between states. They discussed the need again for a strong discussed the need again for a strong national government. They called for national government. They called for another convention in Philadelphia in May another convention in Philadelphia in May 1787. The purpose of the is meeting 1787. The purpose of the is meeting would be to regulate commerce among the would be to regulate commerce among the states and to propose changes that would states and to propose changes that would make the national government stronger.make the national government stronger.

The Confederation Congress gave it The Confederation Congress gave it consent to hold the Philadelphia convention consent to hold the Philadelphia convention “for the sole and express purpose of “for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.”-This revising the Articles of Confederation.”-This set the stage to what was to be known as set the stage to what was to be known as the “Miracle at Philadelphia.”the “Miracle at Philadelphia.”

May 25,1787 – Congress called a meeting May 25,1787 – Congress called a meeting in Philadelphia to revise the Articles. All in Philadelphia to revise the Articles. All states sent delegates except RI.states sent delegates except RI.

Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention

Purpose - to revise the Articles of Purpose - to revise the Articles of ConfederationConfederation

Delegates agreed that there was a need to Delegates agreed that there was a need to create a new government.create a new government.

The President of the Constitutional The President of the Constitutional Convention was George Washington.Convention was George Washington.

2 Proposals2 ProposalsVirginia PlanVirginia PlanNew Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

Virginia PlanVirginia Plan1.1. Bicameral CongressBicameral Congress (2 houses)(2 houses)

2.2. Representation based on population and/or the Representation based on population and/or the amount of money given to support the amount of money given to support the governmentgovernment

3.3. Set up a judicial systemSet up a judicial system

4.4. State officers were to take an oath to support the State officers were to take an oath to support the UnionUnion

5.5. Power to admit new statesPower to admit new states

*This was brilliant political move to have an entire *This was brilliant political move to have an entire plan ready right from the start.plan ready right from the start.

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

The smaller states quickly realized they needed The smaller states quickly realized they needed to come up with a counter proposal.to come up with a counter proposal.

1.1. Unicameral Congress Unicameral Congress (1 house)(1 house)

2.2. Equal representationEqual representation

3.3. Power taxPower tax

4.4. Power to regulate tradePower to regulate trade

5.5. Executive branch to be chosen by CongressExecutive branch to be chosen by Congress

Soon the Convention was dead locked Soon the Convention was dead locked over the question of the representation of over the question of the representation of states in Congress. Should the states be states in Congress. Should the states be represented on the basis of population or represented on the basis of population or should they be represented equally, should they be represented equally, regardless of population. Finally a special regardless of population. Finally a special committee designed a compromise.committee designed a compromise.

Connecticut CompromiseConnecticut Compromise

aka – Great Compromiseaka – Great Compromise Congress would be composed of two Congress would be composed of two

houses (or a have houses (or a have Bicameral legislatureBicameral legislature).).SenateSenate – equal representation with two – equal representation with two

members from each state. State legislatures members from each state. State legislatures would elect senators.would elect senators.

House of Representatives House of Representatives – Representation – Representation according to populationaccording to population

All revenue laws-concerning spending and All revenue laws-concerning spending and taxes would begin in this house.taxes would begin in this house.

3/5 Compromise3/5 Compromise

How should enslaved people be counted How should enslaved people be counted in the population in the south?in the population in the south?

Solution: All free persons should be Solution: All free persons should be counted and all others should count 3/5counted and all others should count 3/5

1313thth amendment abolished the amendment abolished the compromise.compromise.

Ratifying the ConstitutionRatifying the Constitution After approval by the delegates… ratification became the After approval by the delegates… ratification became the

next stepnext step James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay

wrote a series of articles in defense of the Constitution wrote a series of articles in defense of the Constitution known as the Federalist papers.known as the Federalist papers.

Framers saw how difficult a unanimous vote could be, so Framers saw how difficult a unanimous vote could be, so they changed the process.they changed the process. Ratification took 9 out of 13 statesRatification took 9 out of 13 states

As the Constitution was taken to each state to be ratified As the Constitution was taken to each state to be ratified two groups emerged… two groups emerged…

Federalists vs. Anti-FederalistsFederalists vs. Anti-FederalistsFederalistsFederalists

Wanted to ratify the Wanted to ratify the Constitution immediately.Constitution immediately.

Felt that the only way out of Felt that the only way out of the poor situation of the the poor situation of the country was to ratify it country was to ratify it quickly quickly

James Madison, Alexander James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay Hamilton, and John Jay wrote a series of articles in wrote a series of articles in defense of the Constitution defense of the Constitution known as the Federalist known as the Federalist papers.papers.

Anti-FederalistsAnti-Federalists Opposed ConstitutionOpposed Constitution

Ratification processRatification process No mention of GodNo mention of God No power to print No power to print

moneymoney ↑ ↑ power of the central power of the central

gov’tgov’t Lack of Bill of RightsLack of Bill of Rights

Revolutionary War Revolutionary War heroesheroes

Ratifying the ConstitutionRatifying the Constitution

Some of the states ratified the Constitution Some of the states ratified the Constitution only under the stipulation that a Bill of only under the stipulation that a Bill of Rights would be added later Rights would be added later This was done in 1791This was done in 1791

Upon ratificationUpon ratificationPresident - George Washington President - George Washington VP – John AdamsVP – John Adams

11stst National Capital - New York City National Capital - New York City