foundations
TRANSCRIPT
Foundations of Government
Unit 2/Chapter 2
Focus
Agenda• Discuss the various forms of government• Explain the purpose of government• Identify the influences on the founding fathers• Study our nation’s beginnings• Compare and contrast the Articles with the
Constitution.
2. Dictatorships – Person(s) rule with complete power
Foundations of Government
•Types of Government – There are basically two categoriesA. Non-Democratic
1. Monarch – King/Queen rule over an empire/kingdom
Communism – China, Cuba, N. Korea have complete control over the people and what they do and say.
Socialism – Nazi Germany
3. Theocracy - Gov’t controlled by one or more religious leaders. Ultimately the power of ruler is given by “god”
1)Examples – Iran today, Egypt historically
Oligarchies – power in hands of a small group of leaders
B. Democratic 1. Democracy – Ancient Greece began direct democracy where every
citizen had a vote in government.
2. Republic (Representative Democracy) – People elect representatives to make rules/laws to maintain order.
3. ***Constitutional Monarchy**** there is still a ruling monarch but mostly for ceremonial purposes. There is an elected leader and legislature that acts very similar to our president.
1)Example – Today’s England.
Interesting video on types of government. While one may not agree with author’s opinion, he does present a good summary of types of government.
Click Here:
Purpose of GovernmentA. Maintain Order – Throughout history people have created some form of government to establish order and help people cooperate.B. Providing Services – Big Picture – Federal Gov’t protects us from foreign invasion. Little Picture - Providing schools, roads, ensure food is safe, etc.C. Provide Laws – Constitutional laws are passed to protect all of us.D. Guarantee Freedom
• Natural or Inalienable Rights - a.k.a. God Given Rights – Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.
III) Our Nation’s BeginningsA) Declaration of Independence1) As Colonial America, the colonists were not happy about the tyrannical rule the King had over the colonies.(a) Taxation without Representation(b) Control of the Trade(c) Quartering of soldiers
2) On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Continental Congress in Philadelphia.(a) Preamble – What purpose government should have(b) List of Grievances – Told the whole world how England was being unfair and harsh(c) Independence – A formal declaration to King of England that colonies were no longer a part of England (Declaration of War basically)
The United States first form of gov’t. B) Articles of Confederation
1) By 1781 the Articles of Confederation were adopted and once we won the Revolutionary war in 1783 we were the United States of America.2) The USA under the Articles was very weak but it was meant to be so, so that each state kept its sovereignty(a) No Executive or President (b) One central government called Congress which consisted of 1 Rep from each statec) no power to tax = no $, couldn’t enforce laws, big debt from war, constant conflict between groups
3) In 1787, each state secretly sent Reps to revise government.
Click on pic for video
IV) Writing the New and Current Constitution.A) Influences
1) Magna Carta – gave us idea of Trial by jury and no wrongful imprisonment
2) English Bill of Rights – gave us idea of fair punishment, speedy trial, and right to petition government for change
3) The Enlightenment
(a) John Locke – Consent of the Governed – Government exists to serve the people not vise versa
4) Mayflower Compact – First constitution in America gave us concept of self rule and
5) House of Burgesses – 1st Assembly or Legislature in America
6) PA State Constitution of 1776– gave us idea of free from illegal search and seizure, the right to bear arms, the freedom of religion etc.
Click on Picture for video
B) Government becomes stronger
1) Constitutional Convention – In 1787, delegates from the states met to “revise” (completely change really) the government. The men met in Philadelphia
(a) The need to have a stronger central government but the desire to maintain power in the hands of the states led to …
(i) Federalism – The powers of government is shard between the Federal and State Governments.
(ii) Compromise – The biggest obstacle, other than the issue of slavery, was between Big State/Small state and how representation would occur.
• Bi-Cameral – Two house Legislature• Upper House or Senate has two reps from every state• Lower House or House of Representatives has reps based on
population
(b) Ratification(i) Ratification occurred in 1788 and the new government took control in
1789 with George Washington as our first president.
