Origins of American Government

Chapter TwoOrigins of American Government

Section OneThe Colonial Period

An English Political HeritageEven though North America was populated by people from numerous countries, people from England made up the bulk

They came with their culture, traditions, and their ideas about governmentTwo Key Principles

Limited Government

Representative government

Limited GovernmentGovernment was not all-powerful

First appeared in the Magna Carta. (1215)

Signed by King John of England

Protection against unjust punishment and the lost of life, liberty, and property according to law.

Petition of RightWhile Parliament maintained some influence, strong monarchs dominated England.

That changed with Charles I

After dissolving Parliament, placing soldiers in private homes, and placing area under martial law. Charles was forced to sign the Petition of Rights

Petition of Rights that no freeman should be forced to pay any tax, loan, or benevolence, unless in accordance with an act of parliament;that no freeman should be imprisoned contrary to the laws of the land (Habeas Corpus)that soldiers and sailors should not be billeted on private persons;commissions to punish soldiers and sailors by martial law should be abolished.

English Bill of Rights The Glorious Revolution (1685-88)The overthrow of James II and appointment of William and Mary

English Bill of Rights, a document that would later be very important the American colonies, was created. No Absolute AuthorityParliament consent on major issues.No interference with parliament proceedings.Right to PetitionRight to unusual punishment.

Representative Government People elected delegates to make laws and conduct government.

The upper chamber, the House of Lords

The lower chamber, The House of Commons.

Mix of noblemen and commoners

WhatAge of applying reason to the human and natural worldsResponse to absolute monarchsFueled democratic revolutions and religious tolerance

French writer on:Freedom of speechReligious tolerationSeparation of church & stateto the death your right "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to say it"

English writer of Two Treatises on GovernmentSays that people are the source of powerGovernment must protect our natural rights All people have the natural rights, including life, liberty, and property.

English writer of LeviathanSaid government must protect peopleWithout government our lives would be nasty, brutish, and short!.

French writer of The Social ContractGovernment is an agreement or contract between ruler & peopleNo man has any natural authority over his fellow men.

Revolutions in France, Haiti, & AmericaThomas Jeffersons Declaration of IndependenceThe US Constitution & Bill of Rights

Government in the ColoniesThe Thirteen Colonies (1607-1733)

Each colony had its own government with three branches of government

For years, citizens loved being British colonies!

The Mayflower Compact

The first example of many colonials plan for self government.

The General Fundamentals- first basic laws.

Colonial LegislaturesThe Virginia House of Burgesses was the first legislature in the Americans in 1619.

In England, the king appointed the Church of England as the new religion, but the mainly Puritan colonist did not agree.

Separations of PowerColonial charters divided the power of government.

Executive- EnforceLegislative- Make Judicial- Interpret

Training ground for the founding fathers

Section TwoUniting for Independence

The Colonies on Their OwnTo the British, the American colonies existed for the economic benefit for England.

The Americans provide raw materials in exchange for protection from the French and Native Americans.

Britain Tightens Control Two events changed the relationship between the colonist and the British.

First, was the French and Indian War (1754-1763)

Second, was the crowning of George III, who had radical ideas of governing.

Crash Course Press

For the first time in 50 years, England was at peaceYet they had accumulated a massive amount of debt fighting all of these warsIncreased taxation of the colonies was seen as justifiedAfter all, the British felt, many of these wars had been fought in the interest of protecting the coloniesPost French-Indian War

Taxing the Colonies The Stamp Act of 1765- imposed the first direct tax on paper, newspapers, and even playing cards.

Britain's revenue increased, resentment did as well.

The Intolerable Act were the last straw.

Merchants and lawyers required to buy stamps for ships papers and legal documentsTavern owners for licensesPrinters for newspapers Actual stamp tax was not expensive, but the principle of the matter is what upset colonistsThe precedent that it was setting angered the colonistsIt was an outright effort to raise moneyPatrick Henry (House of Burgesses) called for a repeal of the tax, or the king would face a mutiny

Stamp Act (1765)

In response to the Boston Tea PartyThe acts:Closed the port of BostonReduced their self-government autonomyThose accused of crimes now had to be tried in EnglandMust quarter troopsThese acts made the inhabitants of Massachusetts a martyr to the other coloniesSparked new resistance throughout the coloniesIntolerable (Coercive) Acts

Independence Common Sense, written by Thomas Paine, influenced many colonists.

We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now. The birthday of a new world is at hand, and a race of men, perhaps as numerous as all Europe contains, are to receive their portion of freedom from the event of a few months. Thomas Paine

The First Continental Congress When: September 5, 1774

Where: Philadelphia

How: all the colonies except Georgia

What: debate what to do about their poor relationship with Britain. The Solution

An embargo- an agreement prohibiting trade with Britain and agreeing not to use British goods.

The Shoot Heard Around the World

The Second Continental Congress Three weeks after the first, the delegates meet again and agreed that John Hancock would be the president of the new Congress

Made a military force and asked George Washington to be its leader.

The Declaration of Independence John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Tomas Jefferson, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman were asked by a committee to draft a list of demands that would be sent to King Charles.

1. Describes a violation of colonists political, civil and economic liberties.2. Efforts to reach a peaceful solution to their problems and how to separate from England.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed Declaration

Small towns outside BostonMinutemen meet Redcoats in a very brief skirmishStarts the warKnows as the Shot heard round the world

Bunker Hill was the bloodiest battle of the Revolutionary War. More than 1,000 British soldiers and about 400 American patriots were killed or wounded.

The Bunker Hill flag was also one of the first American flags to include the Pine Tree, which would become a lasting symbol of New England and the Colonies.

Washington has his army camp in Pennsylvania during winter of 1777Over 2000 men die during brutal, freezing winterSurviving soldiers emerge in spring newly inspired

October, 1781 Lord Cornwallis surrenders to the Continental ArmyAmerica wins the war

Representatives met privately and issued a call for a Continental Congress that would convene reps from all colonies to discuss the situation with England in September 1774First Continental Congress

Representatives from all colonies (except Georgia) convened in PhiladelphiaMade 4 major decisionsRejected a plan for a colonial union under British authorityEndorsed a statement of grievances reflecting the conflicts among the delegatesResolutions recommending that the colonists make military preparations for defense against an attack by the BritishAgreed to non-importation, non-exportation, and non-consumptions as a means of stopping all trade with England

First Continental Congress

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Articles of Confederation, (17771781) served as the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain

Shayss Rebellion Sparked by the economic frustrations of Massachusetts farmers.

Helped convince key leader that the Articles of Confederation was too weak.

Each state has 1 vote in Congress, regardless of sizeNo executive branch No Bill of RightsAmendments required a unanimous voteLess power for national government

Meets in 1787Decides to create a new government rather than fix Articles

Based representation in Congress on each states population.

Favored by large states because it gave them more power.

Representation in Congress is equal for all states.

Favored by small states because it gave them more power.

The NJ Plan

Great Compromise Solves debate between large and small states Senate 2 per state House of Representatives - based on population 3/5ths CompromisePlacated the Southern statesCounts slaves as 3/5 of a person for state population

U.S. Constitution is Born!Ratified on June 21, 1788

39 of the 55 delegates signed it

The first state to ratify it was Delaware.

The original can be seen in Washington D.C. at the National Archives.