Origins of American Government Magruder Chapter Two Our

Origins of American Government Magruder Chapter Two

Our Political Beginnings Section One

Basic Concepts of Government n Ordered Government u Colonists from England saw the need for orderly regulation of their relationships with one another.

Basic Concepts of Government n Limited Government u Colonists brought with then the idea that government should not be all-powerful.

Basic Concepts of Government n Representative Government u Colonists brought with them the idea that government should serve the will of the people.

Landmark English Documents n Magna Carta u The Magna Carta established the principle of limited government and fundamental rights of English citizens. u Signed in 1215 in Runnymede, England u Signed by King John at the “request of his Barons”

Landmark English Documents n The Petition of Right u The Petition of Right limited the monarch’s authority and elevated the power of Parliament wile extending the rights of the individual.

Landmark English Documents n The Bill of Rights u The Bill of Rights redefined the rights of Parliament and the rights of individuals.

Government in the Colonies n The Royal Colonies u Royal Colonies were subject to the control of the crown and run by appointed governors, who were advised by councils.

Government in the Colonies n The Proprietary Colonies u Proprietary Colonies were owned by wealthy individuals who appointed governors, who were advised by councils.

Government in the Colonies n The Charter Colonies u Charter Colonies were governed by the colonists themselves through elected governors, who were advised by councils.

The Coming of Independence Section Two

Royal Control Because of the distance from England to America, royal control of the colonies was relaxed for much of the colonial period. n Each colonial legislature assumed broad lawmaking powers. n After 1760, Parliament imposed new taxes and restrictive regulations, acts that provoked colonial protests of “no taxation without representation. ” n

Growing Colonial Unity n Early Attempts u In the 1600 s some colonies banded together temporarily to defend themselves, but the need passed and unity failed.

Growing Colonial Unity n Early Attempts (con) u The Albany Plan of Union t Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union called for annual meetings to deal with issues of common concern, but colonial governments turned down the plan.

Growing Colonial Unity n Early Attempts (con) u The Stamp Act Congress t Harsh tax and trade policies caused colonists to meet to denounce the practices and to organize boycotts and other acts of protest.

The First Continental Congress In 1774, the Intolerable Acts caused colonists to send delegates to a meeting to discuss matters and to make plans for action. n The Congress sent a Declaration of Rights to the King, protesting taxes and restrictions. n

The Second Continental Congress In 1775, Congress met again, but by now the Revolution had begun. n The Congress organized a government and established an army, led by Gen. George Washington. n The Congress served as government until the Articles of Confederation went into effect. n

The Second Continental Congress n The Congress was unicameral, exercising both legislative and executive powers.

The Declaration of Independence announced the independence of the United States from Great Britain and listed the reasons for rebellion. n The Declaration proclaimed equality and the rights of the people. n

The First State Governments Most States wrote their own constitutions. n Most States adopted their own constitutions. n

Common Features of New States Popular Sovereignty u The States’ governments existed by the consent of the governed. n Limited Government u The power of the States’ governments was restricted. n

Common Features of New States Civil Rights and Liberties u Each State clearly announced the rights of its citizens. n Separation of Powers and Checks and Balance system u Each new State government was organized with independent branches of government n

The Critical Period Section Three

The First National Constitution The Articles of Confederation formed a confederation among the States. n Government Structure u Government under the Articles was a unicameral legislature with no executive or judiciary n

The First National Constitution Powers of Congress u Most powers related to common defense n State Obligations u The States agreed to accept several obligations to the central government, but retained many powers of government for themselves. n

The First National Constitution n Weaknesses u The government lacked: t The power to tax t The power to regulate trade between the States t The power to make the States obey the Articles.

The Critical Period Disputes among the States highlighted the need for a stronger, more effective National Government. n Economic chaos also resulted from a weak central government. n

The Meetings at Mt. Vernon and Annapolis A majority of States called for a convention in Philadelphia to improve the Articles of Confederation n This meeting became the Constitutional Convention n

Creating the Constitution Section Four

The Framers The delegates to the Constitutional Convention were young. n They were remarkably well-educated and experienced in politics. n

Organization and Procedure George Washington was elected president of the convention. n Each State could cast one vote on an issue, and a majority of votes were needed to carry any proposal. n

The Decision to Write a New Constitution The Philadelphia Convention was called to revise the Articles of Confederation. n Most delegates agreed that writing a new constitution was necessary. n

The Virginia Plan called for a strong National Government with three separate branches. n It favored large States because the number of votes in the legislature would be based on a State’s population. n

The New Jersey Plan resembled the Articles of Confederation, but with increased power of the Federal Government to tax and regulate trade. n It favored the small States because each State was given equal representation in the legislature. n

The Connecticut Compromise Disagreement over representation in Congress caused tempers to flare. n The Connecticut Compromise settled the conflict. n

The Three-Fifths Compromise The question arose of whether slaves should be counted in the population of Southern States. n The delegates agreed to count slaves as three-fifths of a person for purposes of representation and taxation. n Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 n

The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise Congress was forbidden tax exports n Congress could not act on the slave trade for at least 20 years. n

A “Bundle of Compromises” Great differences of opinion existed among the delegates. n Compromise was necessary on many issues. n

Sources of the Constitution The Framers were well-educated. n Delegates drew from history, current political thought, and from their own experiences. n

The Convention Completes Its Work The convention approved the Constitution. n Most delegates agreed that the Constitution was not perfect, but was the best that they could produce. n

Ratifying the Constitution Section Five

Ratification Federalists favored ratification. n Anti-Federalists opposed it. n Debate about ratification involved the increased power of the central government and the lack of a bill of rights. n Success was achieved when Virginia and New York ratified the document in the summer of 1788. n

Inauguration of the New Government The new government assembled in its temporary capital, New York City, in March 1789. n In April 1789, George Washington was elected President of the United States. n