Chapter 2: Origins of Chapter 2: Origins of American GovernmentAmerican Government

2.1: Our Political 2.1: Our Political BeginningsBeginnings

2.2: The Coming of 2.2: The Coming of IndependenceIndependence

2.3: The Critical Period2.3: The Critical Period2.4: Creating the 2.4: Creating the

ConstitutionConstitution 2.5: Ratifying the 2.5: Ratifying the

ConstitutionConstitution

2.1: Our Political Beginnings2.1: Our Political Beginnings

*The colonists used *The colonists used many English many English documents (documents (Magna Magna Carta, Petition of Carta, Petition of Right, English Bill Right, English Bill of Rightsof Rights) as ) as resources when resources when creating America’s creating America’s government. They government. They took things that took things that that liked and that liked and disregarded the disregarded the rest.rest.

Basic Concepts of U.S. Basic Concepts of U.S. Government:Government:

1. Ordered Government:1. Ordered Government: government is government is needed to keep order in societyneeded to keep order in society – every – every governmental position is important governmental position is important (president, congressman, mayor, sheriff, (president, congressman, mayor, sheriff, coroner, etc.)coroner, etc.)

2. Limited Government:2. Limited Government: government is not government is not all-powerfulall-powerful –– every individual has rights every individual has rights that the government cannot take away (the that the government cannot take away (the government is restricted in what it can do).government is restricted in what it can do).

3. Representative Government:3. Representative Government: the the government exists to serve the will of the government exists to serve the will of the peoplepeople – the people decide what the – the people decide what the government should/should not do.government should/should not do.

English Colonies:English Colonies:

The 13 original colonies The 13 original colonies were settled over 125 were settled over 125 years – Virginia was the years – Virginia was the first / Georgia was the first / Georgia was the last. last.

Each colony was established Each colony was established by a by a “charter”:“charter”: a written a written grant of authority from grant of authority from the king. Over time, other the king. Over time, other types of colonies types of colonies emerged…emerged…

Types of Colonies:Types of Colonies:

1.1. “Charter”:“Charter”: largely self-governing – largely self-governing – leaders leaders were elected by property ownerswere elected by property owners – could – could make many of their own laws (Conn / RI).make many of their own laws (Conn / RI).

2.2. “Proprietary”:“Proprietary”: organized by a proprietor organized by a proprietor (person who the king had granted land) – (person who the king had granted land) – governor was appointed by proprietor governor was appointed by proprietor – – less freedom than charter colonies (MY / less freedom than charter colonies (MY / DE).DE).

3.3. “Royal”:“Royal”: royal crown organized most of royal crown organized most of government – government – all new laws needed all new laws needed approval approval – least freedom of the 3 types (8 – least freedom of the 3 types (8 by time of Amer. Rev.)by time of Amer. Rev.)

**Americans would draw from these methods **Americans would draw from these methods when creating the new government of the when creating the new government of the United States – United States – they would keep the good they would keep the good and lose the bad.and lose the bad.

2.2: The Coming of 2.2: The Coming of IndependenceIndependence

In the beginning, colonists were given a In the beginning, colonists were given a decent amount of freedom and self-decent amount of freedom and self-government. Over time, England (government. Over time, England (King King George IIIGeorge III) began to restrict this freedom. ) began to restrict this freedom.

*The colonists had no representatives in *The colonists had no representatives in English Parliament, which they greatly English Parliament, which they greatly resented.resented.

*England was more than 3,000 miles (and 2 *England was more than 3,000 miles (and 2 months journey) away.months journey) away.

When England began passing restrictive laws, When England began passing restrictive laws, the colonists soon considered a revolution:the colonists soon considered a revolution:

The Final Straw:The Final Straw:

The The “Stamp Act”:“Stamp Act”: England required all tax England required all tax stamps on all documents within the colonies. stamps on all documents within the colonies. The colonists felt that this was The colonists felt that this was “taxation “taxation without representation”without representation” and several and several smaller revolts (smaller revolts (Boston Massacre/Boston Boston Massacre/Boston Tea PartyTea Party) soon followed .) soon followed .

Colonists sent delegates to Colonists sent delegates to the the First (1774) and First (1774) and Second (1775) Second (1775) Continental ConventionsContinental Conventions in order voice grievances, in order voice grievances, and eventually declare and eventually declare independence, to England.independence, to England.

In 1776, 56 delegates signed In 1776, 56 delegates signed the the Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence, which , which created the United States created the United States of America, and severed of America, and severed ties with England ties with England

2.3: The Critical Period2.3: The Critical Period

The Articles of The Articles of ConfederationConfederation was the was the foundation document of the foundation document of the United States. United States.

It established a It established a “firm league “firm league of friendshipof friendship”” between the between the 13 states and was 13 states and was “ratified”:“ratified”: formally formally approved in 1781.approved in 1781.

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation::

Congress:Congress: was unicameral – its powers was unicameral – its powers were very limited and each state had one were very limited and each state had one vote (regardless of its population).vote (regardless of its population).

The States:The States: agreed to follow the acts of agreed to follow the acts of Congress, provide funds and troops Congress, provide funds and troops requested by Congress, treat citizens of requested by Congress, treat citizens of other state fairly and equally, and allow other state fairly and equally, and allow open travel and trade between states open travel and trade between states (among other things).(among other things).

Its Weaknesses: Its Weaknesses: the powers of government were the powers of government were too limited – could not tax (could only borrow or too limited – could not tax (could only borrow or request $), could not regulate trade between the request $), could not regulate trade between the states, and could not make states obey its laws. states, and could not make states obey its laws.

*The Articles could only be amended if all 13 *The Articles could only be amended if all 13 states agreedstates agreed

States instantly became jealous and suspicious States instantly became jealous and suspicious of one another (Congress couldn’t act). States of one another (Congress couldn’t act). States refused to follow Congressional decisions, refused to follow Congressional decisions, taxed each other’s goods, banned trade, and taxed each other’s goods, banned trade, and organized their own militaries and currencies. organized their own militaries and currencies. Violence and economic chaos broke out.Violence and economic chaos broke out.

Very quickly, leaders realized that a new Very quickly, leaders realized that a new foundation of government was needed. In foundation of government was needed. In 1787, state delegates met in 1787, state delegates met in PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia in in order to construct this new foundation. This order to construct this new foundation. This meeting became known as meeting became known as the the Constitutional Convention.Constitutional Convention.

2.4: Creating the Constitution2.4: Creating the Constitution

55 delegates travelled to 55 delegates travelled to Philadelphia in order to create a Philadelphia in order to create a new constitution. These men new constitution. These men became known as the became known as the “framers”“framers” of the constitution and included of the constitution and included some of the most famous some of the most famous thinkers in American history thinkers in American history ((Washington, Madison, Washington, Madison, Hamilton, FranklinHamilton, Franklin).).

Each state had one vote in each Each state had one vote in each matter – sometimes matter – sometimes disagreements occurreddisagreements occurred..

The Virginian Plan:The Virginian Plan:

Called for a national government with Called for a national government with expanded powers and three branches. expanded powers and three branches. Congress would be bicameralCongress would be bicameral and and representation in each house would representation in each house would be based on each state’s population be based on each state’s population or on the amount of money it donatedor on the amount of money it donated to the central government.to the central government. *This plan *This plan favored larger, wealthier states.favored larger, wealthier states.

The New Jersey Plan:The New Jersey Plan:

Called for a national government with Called for a national government with limited extra powers. limited extra powers. Congress Congress would be unicameralwould be unicameral, with , with each each state represented equally.state represented equally. *This *This plan created an equal playing field plan created an equal playing field for smaller, less wealthy states.for smaller, less wealthy states.

The Connecticut Compromise:The Connecticut Compromise:

Created a Created a bicameral Congressbicameral Congress – – in the in the smaller Senate, each state would be smaller Senate, each state would be represented equally. In the larger represented equally. In the larger House, representation of each state House, representation of each state would be based on population.would be based on population.

*This plan satisfied both large and small *This plan satisfied both large and small states and became known as the states and became known as the Great Great CompromiseCompromise..

*When it came time to determine each *When it came time to determine each state’s number of seats in the house, state’s number of seats in the house, the the question arose as to whether or not question arose as to whether or not slaves should be counted in slaves should be counted in population totals.population totals. *Southern states said *Southern states said yes, while northern states said no.yes, while northern states said no.

The Three-Fifths Compromise:The Three-Fifths Compromise:

Stated that all “free persons” would be Stated that all “free persons” would be counted, and so would “three-fifths” of all counted, and so would “three-fifths” of all other persons.other persons. * *Taxes paid by each state Taxes paid by each state was based on population – this was based on population – this compromise came at a price for southern compromise came at a price for southern states.states.

The U.S. Constitution became known as a The U.S. Constitution became known as a ““bundle of compromises”.bundle of compromises”. While While details were often argued, the major details were often argued, the major principles were unanimous – principles were unanimous – limited limited government and popular sovereigntygovernment and popular sovereignty..

2.5: Ratifying the Constitution2.5: Ratifying the Constitution

Many people opposed the new constitution – Many people opposed the new constitution – two opposing sides quickly emerged:two opposing sides quickly emerged:

““Federalists”:Federalists”: favored favored the new constitution the new constitution – believed the Articles of Confederation – believed the Articles of Confederation were too weak and that a new government were too weak and that a new government was necessary.was necessary.

““Anti-Federalists”:Anti-Federalists”: opposed opposed the new the new constitution – believed the new constitution – believed the new government had too much power and that government had too much power and that there should be a bill of rights that there should be a bill of rights that guaranteed individual freedoms.guaranteed individual freedoms.

After much debate, the Federalists After much debate, the Federalists won the argument and the U.S. won the argument and the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1788Constitution was ratified in 1788. . New YorkNew York was chosen as the was chosen as the nation’s temporary capital and nation’s temporary capital and George WashingtonGeorge Washington was elected was elected president by unanimous vote.president by unanimous vote.

Is Flag-Burning Free Speech?Is Flag-Burning Free Speech?

Review the court case given on p 59:Review the court case given on p 59:

1. What is the background of the case.1. What is the background of the case.

2. Why was Texas v. Johnson important to this 2. Why was Texas v. Johnson important to this case?case?

3. What are 3 arguments in favor of the U.S.?3. What are 3 arguments in favor of the U.S.?

4. What are 3 arguments in favor of Eichman?4. What are 3 arguments in favor of Eichman?

5. What was the Supreme Court’s ruling?5. What was the Supreme Court’s ruling?

6. What do you think? Was this the right 6. What do you think? Was this the right decision or not? Explain in a paragraph.decision or not? Explain in a paragraph.

Group Activity:Group Activity:

In groups of 3 or 4 – describe the following arguments In groups of 3 or 4 – describe the following arguments that took place when creating the constitution:that took place when creating the constitution:

1. The Virginia Plan 1. The Virginia Plan (how was government set up?)(how was government set up?)

2. The New Jersey Plan 2. The New Jersey Plan (how was government set up?)(how was government set up?)

3. The Connecticut Compromise 3. The Connecticut Compromise (how was it settled?)(how was it settled?)

4. The 3/5 Compromise 4. The 3/5 Compromise (how were slaves dealt with?)(how were slaves dealt with?)