September 23, 2015

Objectives: To develop a better understanding of the foundations of American Government.

CHAPTER 2: ORIGINS OF CHAPTER 2: ORIGINS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENTAMERICAN GOVERNMENT

2.12.1OUR POLITICAL BEGINNINGSOUR POLITICAL BEGINNINGS

Formation of the first governments of the 13 colonies

What influenced the colonists?Old English Documents

– Magna Carta (1215) first document to limit the King’s power Established Due Process (Lords forced King John to

sign)

– Habeas Corpus Act (1678) government must tell you what you are being

held for and show evidence against you.

– Petition of Right (1628) Government could not tax without consent Government could not quarter troops

– English Bill of Rights (1689) Parliament replaced dominant power of King

(legislative supremacy) Trial by jury No cruel and unusual punishment Right to bear arms

Mayflower CompactWritten and signed by 41 Pilgrims in 1620.

The first example at self-government.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Americans first formal constitution-1639

Allowed citizens to elect officials to make laws.

The Virginia Houseof Burgesses

First legislature in America-1619.

The ideals and origins established here would later factor into the writing of the Constitution.

CH. 2.2 THE COMING OF CH. 2.2 THE COMING OF INDEPENDENCEINDEPENDENCE

Navigation Acts: England control 13 colonies through a series of taxes and laws

For more than 150 years Britain practiced salutary neglect toward the colonies. (Navigation Acts passed NOT enforced by England)

Britain Tightens Control

What changed?– Seven Years War (a.k.a. The French

and Indian War) 1754-1763.– George III became king in 1760.

Faced w/debt Wants Colonies to pay their share!!!!

There’s a War to pay for!!!

1765 Stamp Act passed by Parliament

First direct tax.(Legal documents, playing cards)

1765 Stamp Act Congress colonist meet to discuss

Parliament Repealed in 1766, but…

The Coercive Acts or (The Intolerable Acts)

Followed the “Boston Tea Party” Series of acts:

– Close port of Boston– Quarter British Troops etc etc.

Punitive measures to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party

United in Brotherhood

We Will

Not Comply1773 Committees of Correspondence.

1774 Continental Congress

1775 2nd Continental Congress

First Continental Congress September 5, 1774 in Philadelphia. All colonies present except Georgia. 56 men wrote and sent a letter of

grievances and resolves to King George III (The Olive Branch Petition.)

Meet back the next year. Before meeting answer came on April

19, 1775. (KGIII “Nuts to this”)

Second Continental Congress

May 1775 in Philadelphia 56 men from all 13 colonies. Chose John Hancock as president of

Congress. Discuss relationship w/England

Richard Henry Lee would propose resolutions for independence.

Committee was appointed to write.– “Explanation of Independence”

The Declaration of Independence

Committee:– Thomas Jefferson (VA)*

– Benjamin Franklin (PA)+

– John Adams (MA)+

– Roger Sherman (CT)+– Robert Livingston (NY)+

Selected to write the document. + Offered suggestions.

Historical ContextHistorical Context

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson

About The AuthorAbout The Author Born on April 13, 1743 in Virginia to a Born on April 13, 1743 in Virginia to a

wealthy family.wealthy family.

He was very well educated. Attended He was very well educated. Attended The College of William & Mary.The College of William & Mary.

Served in the Virginia House of Served in the Virginia House of Burgesses.Burgesses.

Eloquent correspondent, but not good Eloquent correspondent, but not good public speakerpublic speaker

Known as the "silent member" of the Known as the "silent member" of the CongressCongress

Was unanimously chosen by the Was unanimously chosen by the Committee of Five to prepare a draft Committee of Five to prepare a draft of the Declaration alone.of the Declaration alone.

Main Points of the Declaration of Main Points of the Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

All men are created equal.All men are created equal.““We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.created equal.

Men are given by God certain unalienable rights.Men are given by God certain unalienable rights.““They are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable They are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, liberty and the Pursuit of rights, that among these are Life, liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.”Happiness.”

We have the natural right by God to declare our independence We have the natural right by God to declare our independence from England.from England.““When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the them with another, and to assume among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them… Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them…

• Governments derive their authority from the consent Governments derive their authority from the consent of the people. of the people.

““Governments are instituted among Men, deriving Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.” their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

• When a government abuses it’s power, the people When a government abuses it’s power, the people have the right to overthrow it.have the right to overthrow it.

““That whenever any form of Government becomes That whenever any form of Government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the Right of the People destructive to these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it…to alter or to abolish it…

• The colonies tried repeatedly to The colonies tried repeatedly to compromise with King compromise with King George, but has been a tyrant.George, but has been a tyrant.

““Such has been the patient sufferance of these Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.Government.

England refuses to accept=WAR

Approved on July 2, 1776. Began signing on July 4, 1776. All had signed by August 4, 1776.

CH. 2.3: THE CRITICAL CH. 2.3: THE CRITICAL PERIODPERIOD

Friday Sept. 12, 2014 OTHER POWERPOINT

Articles of Confederation

First functioning Government Ratified in 1781

– While Revolution is in progress Most real power with the

States• Binding was a ‘rope of sand’• Lots of quarrelling between the

states Just one Congress

– Unicameral (one house)– each State had 1 representative– it took 9/13 States to pass a law– it took 13/13 States to approve a

treaty or amend the Articles– No executive or judicial branch– Could pass laws, make treaties,

declare war & peace, borrow money, and create a postal system

Articles of Confederation has Problems

Weaknesses of the A of C1. Congress couldn't require States

to obey national laws (no Judicial branch)

2. The central government has little power over foreign trade

3. Congress could not tax (ask states for money orborrow) = Nat’l Gov’t in debt

4. The Confederation has no effective military force.

Weaknesses of the A of C5. Each state issues its own coins and 5. Each state issues its own coins and paper moneypaper money6. The Confederation must ask states 6. The Confederation must ask states for money to for money to support the federal support the federal GovernmentGovernment7. At least nine states are required to 7. At least nine states are required to pass legislation pass legislation (difficult to pass laws)(difficult to pass laws)8. Changes in the Articles require a 8. Changes in the Articles require a unanimous vote of the thirteen, makes it unanimous vote of the thirteen, makes it impossible to changeimpossible to change the constitution the constitution

Positive Contributions of the Art. of Positive Contributions of the Art. of Conf.Conf.

The Land The Land Ordinance of Ordinance of 17851785, , stated stated that land in the that land in the west was to be west was to be surveyed using a surveyed using a grid system to grid system to establish 6 mile establish 6 mile blocksblocks

Positive Contributions of the Positive Contributions of the Art. of Conf.Art. of Conf.

The Northwest The Northwest Ordinance provides an Ordinance provides an orderly settlement orderly settlement process in the Westprocess in the West

It promisedIt promised– no slaveryno slavery– educationeducation– freedom of religionfreedom of religion– trial by jurytrial by jury

Shay’s Rebellion-America’s Shay’s Rebellion-America’s first Civil Warfirst Civil War

After war, American’s buying up luxury goods After war, American’s buying up luxury goods on credit. British began demanding money on credit. British began demanding money back, British leaned on importers, who leaned back, British leaned on importers, who leaned on shopkeepers, who leaned on farmers (most on shopkeepers, who leaned on farmers (most of whom were veterans of the Revolution) of whom were veterans of the Revolution) who had no money. who had no money.

Farmers that lacked money, were put in Farmers that lacked money, were put in debtors prison, sometimes for life.debtors prison, sometimes for life.

In Massachusetts, the state government In Massachusetts, the state government raised taxes to pay off war debt (but where raised taxes to pay off war debt (but where would money come from?)would money come from?)

Shay’s Rebellion-America’s Shay’s Rebellion-America’s first Civil Warfirst Civil War

Farmers were hardest hit, so they Farmers were hardest hit, so they banned together and rebelled, banned together and rebelled, closing courthouses and burning closing courthouses and burning records of debt. As the rebellion records of debt. As the rebellion grew, the people looked to national grew, the people looked to national government, which could do nothing government, which could do nothing because of Articlesbecause of Articles

Impact of Shay’s rebellionImpact of Shay’s rebellion

Following rebellion, Following rebellion, Washington was Washington was quoted as saying, quoted as saying, “What a triumph “What a triumph for our enemies to for our enemies to find that we are find that we are incapable of incapable of governing governing ourselves.”ourselves.”

Impact of Shay’s rebellionImpact of Shay’s rebellion Calls for a convention to Calls for a convention to

reviserevise the Articles went the Articles went out, and on May 25, out, and on May 25, 1787 delegates began 1787 delegates began working on the working on the Constitution.Constitution.

By the way, Shay fled to By the way, Shay fled to Vermont, pardoned in Vermont, pardoned in 1788, received his 1788, received his promised $20 a month promised $20 a month pension by 1820 and pension by 1820 and died in 1825.died in 1825.

CH.2.4 CREATING THE CH.2.4 CREATING THE CONSTITUTIONCONSTITUTION

SEPTEMBER 16, 2014SEPTEMBER 16, 2014

Objectives: To develop an Objectives: To develop an understanding of the background to understanding of the background to the U.S. Constitutionthe U.S. Constitution

We NEED a stronger Government!!!

“Shay’s Rebellion” scares a lot of people – A Small Rebellion of Massachusetts farmers that were veterans of the war, and had not received pay, and many lost their farms due to debt.

Have a ‘Constitutional Convention’ meet in Philadelphia, to rework the Articles– Philadelphia in May 1787

End up creating a new Constitution

Constitutional Convention 55 delegates from 12

states meet ‘for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation’– “the well-bred, the well-fed,

the well-read, and the well-wed”

– Average age is 42, 2/3 lawyers, 1/3 owned slaves

No Rhode Island, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Sam Adams, John Hancock, or Patrick Henry!

“Father of the Constitution”– James Madison of Virginia– Spoke over 200 times– Took extensive notes

Constitutional Conflict!!!

Virginia Plan– Strong national government– Three branches of government

(legislative, executive, judicial)

– Two houses of congress, based on population*

– Big states like it! VA, Penn, NC, Mass, NY, MD

The small state delegates are upset! Convention almost collapses.

The New Jersey Plan

JUST before Virginia Plan vote , NJ introduced a new plan New Jersey Plan: Introduced by William Paterson. Governmental Plan:

– Keep main provisions of Articles of Confederation.– Unicameral legislature, one vote for each state.– Weak executive branch would be chosen by Congress.– National judiciary with limited power chosen by

Congress.

COMPROMISE PROCESS

The Great Compromise The Connecticut Plan Introduced by Roger

Sherman.– Legislature be bicameral

House of Representatives based on state population (Please the big states).

Senate with two members from each state (Equal representation pleased small states)

Established the process of compromise to solve issues!!!!

Representation of Slaves?– South wanted slaves to be counted in population

(this would increase South’s representation)– North opposed:

Elbridge Gerry (Mass) said” If you want slaves to count “make them citizens and let them vote.”

– 3/5 Compromise 5 slaves would count as 3 people or 3/5 of person

– Also agreed Congress would not ban slave trade until 1808.

How to Elect the President?How to Elect the President?

Liberals proposed Popular VoteLiberals proposed Popular Vote Conservatives feared and distrusted of Conservatives feared and distrusted of

people electing the Presidentpeople electing the President

Compromise: Popular vote BUT…………………Compromise: Popular vote BUT…………………

The people would The people would not directly elect not directly elect the the President. President.

Each state would choose electors that would Each state would choose electors that would

elect the President (elect the President (Electoral Electoral CollegeCollege))

Constitutional Convention Ends -Sept. 17, 1787 17 long weeks

42 original members sign No one was completely satisfied

– (so many compromises)

– CONVENTION DID NOT HAVE THE– AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH. – MUST BE SENT TO THE STATES FOR

RATIFICATION!!!!!!!!!!!!

CH. 2.5 RATIFYING THE CH. 2.5 RATIFYING THE CONSTITUTIONCONSTITUTION

September 18, 2014

RATIFICATION Special State Elections

– Federalists: support acceptance ConstitutionFavored strong central gov’tlawyers, merchants, NE states.Alexander Hamilton

-Anti Federalists: Opposed acceptance Constitution

Too much federal powerNot enough guarantee personal rights: BILL OF RIGHTSThomas Jefferson

States DecideStates Decide

Constitution: four states quickly approveConstitution: four states quickly approve

Massachusetts stern testMassachusetts stern testShaysistsShaysists

Lack of Bill of RightsLack of Bill of Rights

187-168187-168

3 more states approve3 more states approve

June 21, 1788 N.H. approves #9June 21, 1788 N.H. approves #9

Final states ratifyFinal states ratify

VirginiaVirginiaPatrick Henry/George Mason opposePatrick Henry/George Mason opposeGeorge Washington/James Madison George Washington/James Madison

supportsupport89-79 support89-79 support

New York: Strong oppositionNew York: Strong oppositionAlexander Hamilton/John Jay Alexander Hamilton/John Jay Federalist Federalist

PapersPapers30-27 support30-27 support

North CarolinaNorth CarolinaRhode Island 34-32 June 1790 (after gov’t Rhode Island 34-32 June 1790 (after gov’t

began)began)

Minority TriumphMinority Triumph– Represented wealthy conservative factionsRepresented wealthy conservative factions– ¼ of adult white males had voted for delegate¼ of adult white males had voted for delegate

Unusual methods (compromise) but created Unusual methods (compromise) but created effective gov’teffective gov’t

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION