Unit I Section 2 Our Political Beginnings The Beginning North American Exploration Begins In Mid16 th Century European explorers traders amp settlers French Dutch Spanish Swedes amp the English ID: 637775
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Slide1
Origins of American Government
Unit I, Section 2Slide2
Our Political BeginningsSlide3
The Beginning
North American Exploration Begins In Mid-16
th
Century
European explorers, traders, & settlers
French, Dutch, Spanish, Swedes, & the EnglishEnglish settlers most numerousNative American dominations begins to fadeSlide4
Basic Concepts of Government
English settlers brought their own traditions and customs
English law has deep roots in Middle Eastern & Ancient Roman Traditions
Brought ideas on government
Ordered Government
Limited GovernmentRepresentative GovernmentSlide5
Ordered Government
Orderly regulation of relationships is key
Creation of local offices; many still found today
Sheriff
Coroner
AssessorJustice of the PeaceGrand JuryCounties & TownshipsSlide6
Limited Government
Government should not be all-powerful
Individual rights should not be touched by the government
These ideas have a strong hold in English government & law practiceSlide7
Representative Government
Government should serve the will of the people
People should have a voice in the government
Notion of “government of, by, and for the people”, took root in colonial AmericaSlide8
Legislative Bodies
Unicameral
One chamber/legislative house
Used in early colonial legislatures
Nebraska only state that has a unicameral legislature
BicameralTwo chambers/legislative housesAdopted from English Parliamentary systemHouse of Lords & House of Commons
American standard federally and with the StatesSlide9
Landmark Documents & EventsSlide10
Magna Carta
Known as the “Great Charter”
Signed by King John in 1215 at Runnymede
Unhappy barons tired of heavy taxes and military campaigns
Pressured King John
Protection from unfair act by the CrownSlide11
…Continued
The Magna Carta Included
Trial by jury
Due process
Protection of taking of life, liberty, or property
Intended for the upper classesEvolved into including all classesEst. that monarchial power was NOT absoluteSlide12
Petition of Rights
Magna Carta fell in and out of favor
Parliament began gaining more influence
1628 Charles I asked Parliament for money
Parliament demanded he sign the “Petition of Rights”
Heavily limited King’s powersSlide13
…Continued
Power Limitations
Imprisonment could not occur without a judgment by a jury of peers
No martial law in times of peace
No quartering of troops by private citizens
Challenged “Divine Right”King subject to the laws as wellSlide14
The English Bill of Rights
1688 saw the end of conflicts in England
William & Mary of Orange crowned
Called the “Glorious Revolution”
Parliament began drawing up the Bill of Rights
Officially accepted in 1689Slide15
…Continued
English Bill of Rights included
Prohibition of a standing army during peace time
Parliament elections should be free
Prohibition of the Crown levying money
Petitions can be heard by the kingThe Crown could no longer tamper with English Law
Right to a fair trial
No excessive bail or cruel/unusual punishmentSlide16
The English Colonies
13 colonies est. over 125 years
Outposts & forts became thriving communities
Virginia,1607
Jamestown
Commercial venture, company owned trading operationMassachusetts, 1620Settled for religious freedomGeorgia, 1733
Savannah
Haven for English debtors and petty criminals
Penal ColonySlide17
The Coming of IndependenceSlide18
Britain’s Colonial Policies
Colonies controlled by the Crown
Privy Council & Board of Trade in London
Parliament little interest in management (trade only)
Colonies under framework of royal control
London was over 3000 miles awaySelf-government evolvedColonial legislatures
Broad lawmaking power
Power of the purseSlide19
…Continued
Development of a “Federal” system
London provided defense and dealt with foreign affairs
Colonies allowed to self rule, hardly taxed, and they ignored trade regulationsSlide20
George III
Began his reign in 1760
More firm dealings with colonist
Enforced ignored regulations
New taxes imposed to support troops in the ColoniesSlide21
Colonial Response
“Taxation without representation”
Felt there was no need for stationed troops
French had been defeated in 1763
The Government was across the ocean
Out of touch with colonial lifeSaw themselves as BritishThe questions posed: Submit or Revolt?Slide22
…Continued
The Stamp Act Congress
Crown’s tax and trade polices angered the Colonies
Stamp Act-1765
Tax on legal documents, business agreements, & newspapers
“Taxation without representation”October 1765-Stamp Act Congress meetsColonies but GA, NH, NC, VA gathered in New York
Prepared “Declaration of Rights & Grievances”
Sent petition to the king
Parliament repealed the Stamp ActSlide23
Tensions
Parliament closing the gap between the Colonies and London
Colonial boycott of English goods
Refusal to buy or sell certain products or goods
March 5, 1770-Boston Massacre (5 Killed)
December 16, 1773-Boston Tea PartyMen dressed as Native Americans board three English ships in Boston HarborDumped cargo overboardSlide24Slide25Slide26
…Continued
Committees of Correspondence formed
Grew from the idea of Samuel Adams in Boston
Spread across colonies
Exchange of information among patriotsSlide27
The CongressesSlide28
First Continental Congress
Intolerable Acts passed in 1774
Punishment for Boston Tea Party
Sept. 5, 1774
Congress meets in Philadelphia
GA did not attendPolitical minds of the dayPrepared and sent Declaration of Rights to the king
Called for end of English trade until Acts repealed
Adjourned in October with plans to meet in May
Support grew over the months for FCCSlide29
The Second Continental Congress
1774-1775; British stand by colonial policies
Reaction to the Declaration of Rights
Stricter and more repressive measures
Congress
Met again in PhiladelphiaMay 10, 1775The Revolution had already begun“Shot heard ‘round the world”
Battle at Lexington and Concord on April 19Slide30
…Continued
Representatives
All 13 colonies participated
Ben Franklin, John Adams, & John Hancock
Hancock picked as president of the Congress
AccomplishmentsContinental Army CreatedGeorge Washington chosen as Commander-in-Chief
Jefferson replaces Washington on Virginia’s delegationSlide31
Our First National Government
SCC forced to become the first national government
No constitutional base
Denounced by British as unlawful and treasonous
Waves of growing public support
Served for 5 years (1776-1781)Each Colony had 1 voteLegislative & Executive power linked togetherSlide32
…Continued
Accomplishments
Fought a war
Raised an army & navy
Borrowed money
Bought suppliesCreated a monetary systemNegotiated treatiesSlide33
The Declaration of Independence
Richard Henry Lee proposed separation from Britain
Resolution of June 7, 1776
Committee picked to prepare Declaration
Adams, Franklin, & Jefferson
Work on Declaration of IndependenceJuly 2, 1776, Delegates agreed to Lee’s resolutionSlide34
…Continued
July 4, 1776
Declaration of Independence proclaimed
Independence declared in 1 paragraph
2/3 speak of injuries by the Crown that led to revolt
Called for equality of all men56 men signed the final documentSlide35
The Critical PointSlide36
The Articles of Confederation
Lee’s resolution called for the unifying of the States
Articles of Confederation created Nov. 15, 1777
“Firm League of Friendship”
Each state would remain sovereign
Ratification came slowlyDelaware: February 1779Maryland: March 1781Slide37
Government Structure
Simple government
Unicameral legislature
Delegates picked by their state
Each state had only 1 vote
No executive or judicial branchesCommittees in CongressAnnual choice for President of the Congress
“Presiding Officer” of Congress not the U.S.
Civil officers appointed by CongressSlide38
Powers of Congress
Make War & Peace
Send & Receive Ambassadors
Make Treaties
Borrow Money
Set Up a Monetary SystemEstablish Post OfficesBuild a NavyRaise an Army of State Troops
Fix Uniform Weights & Measures
Settle Disputes Between the StatesSlide39
State Obligations
States would obey the Articles
Promised to provide funds and troops
Equality of all citizens
Full faith and credit to other state’s actions
Surrender fugitivesSubmit disputes to CongressOpen travel & tradeResponsible for protection of life, property, & happiness of citizensSlide40
Weaknesses
Congress Could Not Tax
Raise money through borrowing or asking the States
Borrowing became a poor choice
Revolutionary debt high and unpaid
States never met financial requests of CongressNo regulation of interstate tradeLack of power to make states obey laws
9-13 vote to pass laws
Changes made to the Articles had to be unanimous
No amendments ever madeSlide41
The 1780’sSlide42
At War’s End
Revolutionary War ended on October 19, 1781
Treaty of Paris confirmed U.S. victory in 1783Slide43
…Continued
Problems began to surface at home
Weak central government
Suspicion and jealousy between states
Refusal to support central government
States made agreements with foreign powers Forbidden by the ArticlesTaxes and bans on other state’s goodsSoaring prices & poor credit
Skyrocketing debtSlide44
Shays’ Rebellion
Economy worsened
People losing property & possessions to pay on taxes & debts
1789-Danial Shays of MA leads an armed uprising
Officer during Revolution
Uprising closed state courtsLead unsuccessful assault on Springfield arsenalFled to Vermont
MA response: Pass debt easement laws Slide45
A Need For A Strong Government
Demand grew for strengthening central government
Large property owners, merchants, traders, & creditors worried about shaky economy
March 1785
Virginia & Maryland meet at Mt. Vernon
Recommended Federal plan of regulating tradeJanuary 21, 1786Slide46
…Continued
September 1786
5 of the 13 States meet in Annapolis
Called for second meeting the following May
February 1787, 7 of 13 States plan attendance
Congress calls for states to send delegationsMet in PhiladelphiaWould become the Constitutional ConventionSlide47
Creating the ConstitutionSlide48
The Framers
55 Delegates met at the Philadelphia Convention
“an assembly of demi-gods” –Jefferson
Attributes
Well educated
Revolutionary war vets, members of Continental Congress & Art. of Confed. Congress7 State governors2 Future Presidents, 1 future VP
Average age: 42
½ in their 30’s
Franklin was the oldest member at 81Slide49
Organization & Procedures
Met in Independence Hall
George Washington elected president of the convention
Every state had one vote, majority vote would carry a measure
Adapted a rule of secrecy
Recommended changes to Articles of ConfederationFeeling of creating something newEventually push to replace Articles of ConfederationSlide50
The Virginia Plan
Proposed by Madison
3 Separate branches of government
Leg, Ex, & Jud
Bicameral Legislature
Representation based on states population or monetary fundsHouse members- Lower house, popularly electedSenate members- Upper house, chosen by House members off list of State appointees
A of C powers kept by Congress
Congress would have more force backing themSlide51
The New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Paterson
Called for Unicameral Legislature
Equal representation of the states
Limited taxing ability and interstate trade regulations
Plural Executive picked by CongressFederal JudiciarySupreme Tribunal appointed by the ExecutiveSlide52
Compromises
States bickered over representation
Large states expected to dominate
Small states worried of infringement of rights & interests
Connecticut Compromise
2 Congressional HousesSenate- equal representationHouse- representation based on population
Supported strong central government
The “Great Compromise”Slide53
…Continued
3/5 Compromise
Q. Should slaves be counted in a state’s population?
Southern states wanted slaves counted
Boost representation in the House
Northern states highly apposed AgreementFree people counted as a wholeSlaves considered 3/5 of a person
Southerners would also have to pay for their slavesSlide54
...Continued
Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise
Agreement Congress needed control of trade
South feared Northern Control
Congress paid through taxes on exported goods- Tobacco
Interference with Slave Trade
Agreement
Congress could not tax exported goods from the States
Congress could not act against the Slave Trade for 20 yearsSlide55
The End
States had differing views & interests
States separated by geography & economic goals
“Bundle of Compromises”
Seeing Eye-to-Eye
Federal government was neededGovernment needed powerPopular sovereignty & limited governmentSeparation of powers & Checks and balancesSlide56
…Continued
Committee of Stile & Arrangement
September 8, 1787
Gouverneur Morris head of committee
September 17 work approved
39 men signed the finished documentPrinted and sent throughout the StatesSlide57
RatificationSlide58
The Fight To Ratify
Constitution was meant to replace the A of C
9 states needed to ratify the document to enact it
Formal consent by the States
Copies sent out September 28, 1787
Heavily debated and discussed throughout the CountryTwo distinct groups formed
Federalists
Anti-FederalistsSlide59
Federalists
Stressed weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Knew that a strong government would help the infant country
Economical & socially
James Madison & Alexander Hamilton some of the most activeSlide60
Anti-Federalists
Attacked the Constitution
Disapproved of the Ratification process
Demoralized by the lack of God in the document
Disdained lack of the States ability to print money
Disliked the increase in central governmental powerDisheartened by lack of a “Bill of Rights”Slide61
Nine States Ratify
Delaware the first: December 7, 1787
New Hampshire the ninth: June 21, 1788
New York & Virginia had yet to ratify
Fear that without their support the Government would failSlide62
Virginian Ratification
Followed NH four days later
Heated battles, Strong debates
George Washington supported the Constitution
Madison persuaded Jefferson’s supportSlide63
New York Ratification
Eleventh state: July 26, 1788
Saw rise of “The Federalist” papers
85 essays
Written by A. Hamilton, J. Madison, & J. Jay
Supported ConstitutionPrinted in newspapers and eventually collected into booksEnd of long battle for ratificationSlide64
The New Government
September 13, 1788
11 of 13 States under “…federal roof”
New York picked as temporary capital
New government inaugurated the following March
March 4, 1789 at Federal HallApril 6, George Washington elected PresidentUnanimouslyJohn Adams elected VP
April 30, Washington takes the Oath of OfficeSlide65