Roots of American Roots of American GovernmentGovernment

““Birds go flying at the Birds go flying at the speed of sound To show speed of sound To show

you how it all began,you how it all began,Birds came flying from the Birds came flying from the underground, If you could underground, If you could

see it then you'd see it then you'd understand”understand”

Mr. Munoz12th Grade Government

I. I. Ancient Greece and Rome:Ancient Greece and Rome:

Athens created first direct Athens created first direct democracy whereby citizens democracy whereby citizens directly created lawsdirectly created laws

Rome, 509 BC founded a Rome, 509 BC founded a republic, a govt. in which republic, a govt. in which representatives were elected to representatives were elected to make lawsmake laws

II. English TraditionII. English TraditionFor centuries, English For centuries, English

monarchs ruled subjects monarchs ruled subjects (people who were subjected (people who were subjected to the rule of the monarch). to the rule of the monarch). Some used their power justly; Some used their power justly; others were tyrants who others were tyrants who stirred resentment among stirred resentment among their subjectstheir subjects

1200’s1200’s English nobles had gained enough power English nobles had gained enough power

to challenge royal powerto challenge royal power 1215, they forced King John to sign the 1215, they forced King John to sign the

Magna Carta (Great Charter) which listed Magna Carta (Great Charter) which listed the rights of citizens that the King could the rights of citizens that the King could not take awaynot take away

At first the Magna Carta Applied only to At first the Magna Carta Applied only to nobles but it was a first stepnobles but it was a first step

Late 1200’s, Parliament had been Late 1200’s, Parliament had been established (representative govt.) Over established (representative govt.) Over centuries Parliament became more centuries Parliament became more powerful than the monarchpowerful than the monarch

1689 English Bill of Rights1689 English Bill of Rights

listed the rights of all listed the rights of all English citizens, not just English citizens, not just nobles.nobles.

Provided protection Provided protection against tyrannyagainst tyranny

III. Political Philosophers III. Political Philosophers Assignment: Using the Text and ReadingsAssignment: Using the Text and Readings Background, when were they alive, where Background, when were they alive, where

are they from?are they from? What is the political philosophy of each What is the political philosophy of each

(should be around a paragraph to sum up (should be around a paragraph to sum up the major ideas)? What are their views on the major ideas)? What are their views on the role of citizens, the role of leaders?the role of citizens, the role of leaders?

How do their ideas reflect what you know How do their ideas reflect what you know about American democracy?about American democracy?

What do you think their lasting impact is? What do you think their lasting impact is? DO you agree with their philosophy? Why/ DO you agree with their philosophy? Why/ Why not?Why not?

Aristotle- Reading to be info swappedAristotle- Reading to be info swapped Plato:- Reading to be info swappedPlato:- Reading to be info swapped Machiavelli- Reading to be info Machiavelli- Reading to be info

swappedswapped Montesquieu: In TextMontesquieu: In Text Thomas Hobbes: In TextThomas Hobbes: In Text John Locke – Reading to be info John Locke – Reading to be info

swappedswapped Rousseau:- In TextRousseau:- In Text

IV. Early Colonial Charters and IV. Early Colonial Charters and Govt.Govt.

A key feature of the A key feature of the colonial period was colonial period was government according government according to a written plan.to a written plan.

1620: Mayflower 1620: Mayflower CompactCompact

The Mayflower Compact (A written The Mayflower Compact (A written agreement to make and obey laws for the agreement to make and obey laws for the welfare of the group) is the first example welfare of the group) is the first example of colonial plans for self government, of colonial plans for self government,

Pilgrim leaders realized that they needed Pilgrim leaders realized that they needed rules to govern themselves if they were to rules to govern themselves if they were to survive in the new land (social contract?) survive in the new land (social contract?) so they agreed to choose leaders and so they agreed to choose leaders and create laws for the benefit of the group.create laws for the benefit of the group.

Fundamental Orders of Fundamental Orders of Connecticut:Connecticut:

America’s first formal America’s first formal constitution or charter, constitution or charter, other colonies followed other colonies followed suit and soon each suit and soon each colony had a limited colony had a limited system of government.system of government.

Colonial LegislaturesColonial LegislaturesVirginia House of Burgesses, Virginia House of Burgesses,

the first legislature in the first legislature in America was founded in America was founded in 1619. 1619.

The lawmakers passed laws The lawmakers passed laws aiding farmers, outlawing aiding farmers, outlawing idleness, improper dress, and idleness, improper dress, and public drunkenness. public drunkenness.

V. Early ConflictV. Early Conflict

English rule in England vs. English rule in England vs. English rule in the coloniesEnglish rule in the colonies

The English believed, The English believed, the colonies existed the colonies existed for the economic gain for the economic gain of England and should of England and should be governed by the be governed by the English Parliament.English Parliament.

RealityRealityOrders from the king took up to Orders from the king took up to

two months to reach the two months to reach the colonies. colonies.

Local legislatures dealt with the Local legislatures dealt with the everyday problems facing the everyday problems facing the colonies. colonies.

Colonists became accustomed to Colonists became accustomed to governing themselves.governing themselves.

VI. Status Quo ChangeVI. Status Quo Change

1. 1. French and Indian French and Indian War:War:

The French and British The French and British powers struggled over powers struggled over land in Penn and Ohio, land in Penn and Ohio,

England eventually won England eventually won in 1763 driving the in 1763 driving the French out.French out.

2. George III2. George III Took a firm stance with the rule of the colonies. Took a firm stance with the rule of the colonies.

Under his direction, Parliament passed more Under his direction, Parliament passed more taxes to offset the cost of the War. Tea, sugar, taxes to offset the cost of the War. Tea, sugar, glass, paper, etc were all taxed. glass, paper, etc were all taxed.

The Stamp Act 1756 was the first direct tax on The Stamp Act 1756 was the first direct tax on the colonists. the colonists.

As British revenue grew so did colonial As British revenue grew so did colonial resentment. Protests, Boycotts, Boston Tea Party, resentment. Protests, Boycotts, Boston Tea Party, etc. “Taxation without representation”etc. “Taxation without representation”

VII. Unity Among VII. Unity Among coloniescolonies

Colonists pledged allegiance to their Colonists pledged allegiance to their individual colonies but rejected the individual colonies but rejected the idea of forming on unified front for idea of forming on unified front for fear of giving too much power to one fear of giving too much power to one group. group.

The tide changed as colonists grew The tide changed as colonists grew angrier and were able to rally against angrier and were able to rally against what they felt was British oppression. what they felt was British oppression.

VIII. First Continental VIII. First Continental CongressCongress

12 colonial delegates ( - Georgia) 12 colonial delegates ( - Georgia) met in 1774 to challenge English rule met in 1774 to challenge English rule and convince England to respect and convince England to respect colonists’ rights. colonists’ rights.

They proposed an embargo against They proposed an embargo against Great Britain, and agreed not to use Great Britain, and agreed not to use British goods. British goods.

George III responded with force, George III responded with force, “shot heard round the world” at “shot heard round the world” at Lexington and Concord in April 1775.Lexington and Concord in April 1775.

IX Second Continental IX Second Continental Congress:Congress:

Assumed the powers of a Assumed the powers of a central govt.central govt.

John Hancock was to assume John Hancock was to assume the role of President of the role of President of Congress. Congress.

George Washington George Washington commander of the commander of the Continental Army.Continental Army.

X. Common Sense:X. Common Sense:Thomas Paine’s essay Thomas Paine’s essay outlining the reasons the outlining the reasons the colonies should be colonies should be independent of Englandindependent of England

XI. Declaration of XI. Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

Main ideas were to Main ideas were to express the views of express the views of natural rights and the natural rights and the purpose of govt.purpose of govt.

Outline the DeclarationOutline the Declaration

Organizing a New Organizing a New GovernmentGovernment

Colonies had become “free and Colonies had become “free and independent states” so each independent states” so each established its own govt. and established its own govt. and constitution. constitution.

All constitutions were slightly All constitutions were slightly different to meet the needs of its different to meet the needs of its own people but common ideas were own people but common ideas were limiting of terms for governors, limiting of terms for governors, separation of powersseparation of powers