ROOTS OF DEMOCRACY

ANALYZE THE PICTURE

Part I: Analyze the picture What do you see? What do you think this

is? What do you think the message of the

painting is? What artistic techniques does the artist use to accomplish this?

BRAINSTORM

What does it mean to be a democracy? Besides just saying…. “people have the

power”, what are the principles of democracy

PRINCIPLES OF DEMOCRACY

Rule of Law: Written laws govern society

Checks and Balances: Separation of powers

Individual Rights: Freedoms Consent of the Governed: Ppl give up

power to government Representative Government:

Representatives speak for the people

GENESIS OF DEMOCRACY

Ancient Greece 510 BC, Athens had a democratic

government All citizens served on the Assembly

(like Congress) Rome: Representative

Democracy….kinda 500 BC--Citizens could vote for SOME

of the representatives, and vote them out if they did not like them

ENGLAND: PROTECT RIGHTS, LIMIT GOV’T

Magna Carta Established Rule of Law Way to limit government under king/queen

English Petition of Right Limit power of Monarch Gave more power to Parliament (representative

gov’t) English Bill of Rights

Monarch cannot rule without consent of Parliament

HOW DID WE BECOME THE LONGEST STANDING DEMOCRACY?

13 Original Colonies Had own local governments, but had to follow

the policies and wishes of Mother England States draft own laws

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Virginia Bill of Rights

At first UK hands off, but once need money to pay debt, et strict!

No representation in British Parliament, no say in government, wanted rights at first, not rebellion

“No taxation without representation”

AMERICAN REVOLUTION

Declaration of Independence: RIGHT TO REBEL July 4th 1776 Written mostly by Thomas Jefferson

Unalienable rights….life, liberty, pursuit of happiness Gave ideas for gov’t colonists wanted to had

War Won: 1781 at Yorktown Second Continental Congress held colonies

together during the war But needed a real government….

WE WON….. NOW WHAT?

Articles of Confederation: Created USA Creates federal government: Unicameral

Legislature WEAKNESSES: loose confederation of states

No president or executive branch Federal Gov’t CANNOT TAX or regulate the economy No common currency, no regulation of trade No national court system

Most power given to the states Lots of variation between states

SHAY’S REBELLION

Veterans of American Revolution returned home unable to pay taxes…. They were prayed on by wealthy businessmen, give them loans. But then could not pay debts---- put in prison

(debtors prisons!) Led by Daniel Shays, group of veterans

marched to Springfield, MA. Incident persuaded founders that we needed a

stronger federal gov’t that could make uniform economic policy and protect property owners

ANALYZE THE PICTURE

Part I: Analyze the picture What do you see? What do you think this

is? What do you think the message of the

painting is? What artistic techniques does the artist use to accomplish this?

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

Summer 1787 (HOTT!): Supposedly just to revise the AOC

Who came? 55 people, “Founding Fathers” James Madison “ Father of Constitution GW voted chairman Jefferson was abroad, Patrick Henry refused

Quickly realized they need to make a new gov’t Based around three branches of gov’t

TWO COMPETING PLANS!

Virginia Plan: Favor large states New Jersey Plan: In defense of small

states Great Compromise

House of Representatives: Based on population

Senate: Equal, every state has 2

OTHER ISSUES

Slavery: What to do? Slaves = 3/5 a person.

President: Elected by whom? Electoral College: Can’t trust stupid

Americans! Need smart people to make the decision!

If no majority, goes to the House of Representative for vote

TA-DAH!

Signed by most on September 17, 1787…. The sun is rising!

Now the battle begins….. Whether to ratify!

RATIFICATION DEBATE

Should it be ratified? Well……what is actually in the

Constitution?

QUOTE TIME!

“If all men were angels, there would be no need for government”

What does this mean? Do you agree with the quote?

IS THIS A GOOD GOVERNMENT?

9 States needed to ratify the Constitution Debate raged in newspapers and pamphlets

Federalists: Wanted a strong central gov’t in Const Argue that separation of powers prevents abuse Federalist Papers: 58 articles support Const, in NY

Antifederalists: Afraid the gov’t was too powerful Thought popular gov’t only exist in small country Did not have a Bill of Rights

RATIFIED!

Federalists promised that the 1st Congress would pass a Bill of Rights

States in order: Delaware: First State PA NJ Georgia Ct Mass Maryland SC NH VA NY NC RI

VIEW OF CONSTITUTION

“Flexible & Living Document” How change/adapt:

Court Decisions Congressional legislation Executive Action

Flexible: Political Cabinet

1ST AMENDMENT

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? WHAT IS FREE SPEECH?