{ Government Notes – Chapter 2
Dec 31, 2015
English colonists brought with them heritage of freedom & principles of govt
Concept of limited govt (dating from Magna Carta 1215) was accepted part of Eng system
Petition of Right (1628) severely limited power of Eng monarch
Colonists believed in limits on ruler’s power & freedoms protected in English Bill of Rights (1688)
Colonists firmly believed in representative govt (modeled after Parliament)
Ideas of 17th cent English philosopher John Locke influenced colonistsI. An English Political
Heritage
Present system of Amer govt evolved largely from colonial governments & their practices
Written plans of govt were key feature of colonial period
Representative assemblies elected by people helped establish tradition of representative govt in America
Division of govt powers among governor, colonial legislatures, & colonial courts helped establish principle of separation of powersII. Government in the
Colonies
Britain regarded Amer colonies largely as source of econ benefits, did allow them limited self-govt
British govt tightened control over colonies following French & Indian Wars
King George III & ministers made colonies help pay for war by levying new taxes
III. The Colonies on Their Own
Harsh British policies & taxes helped unite colonies
Colonists sent petitions to king & also organized committees of correspondence
1st Continental Congress (Philadelphia, 1774) debated what colonies should do regarding relationship w/Britain
2nd Continental Congress (1775) – fighting had begun & Congress acted as central govt to carry on Revolution
IV. Colonial Unity
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense strengthened independence movement
Declaration of Independence drafted in 1776 (by committee headed by Thomas Jefferson)
Declaration set forth principles for new nation Had 3 parts: statement of purpose (including
description of basic human rights); list of specific complaints against King George III; and statement of determination to separate from Britain
By end of 1776, 10 states had adopted written constitutions (based on consent of governed, limited govt, and protection of individual rights)
V. Independence
Nation’s 1st govt included single chamber (unicameral) Congress w/limited powers
Each state had 1 vote in Congress, but govt had no executive branch or court system
VI. Government under the Articles
Congress had to depend on states for money & had no power to collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws
Amending articles required approval of all states
Central govt had no president or executive branch & carried out much of work through cong. Committees
No system of national courts – state courts enforced & interpreted national lawsVII. Weaknesses of the
Articles
Confederation govt established fair policy for developing western land
Signed peace treaty with England
Set up several departments establishing precedent for cabinet departments
VIII. Achievements of the Articles
Following Revolution, disputes broke out among states; government’s debt left soldiers unpaid
Economic depression in 1786 led to Shays’ Rebellion (armed uprising by Mass. Farmers who could not pay debts)
1786 Annapolis Convention accomplished little, but Confederation Congress was persuaded to call convention in Philadelphia to revise ArticlesIX. Need for Stronger
Government
Meetings held in secret, each state would have 1 vote, all decisions by majority vote, quorum of 7 states required for all meetings
Delegates decided to draft new plan of govt instead of revising old
X. The Convention Begins
VA plan proposed strong executive, national judiciary, & strong 2 house (bicameral) legislature – lower house would be chosen by people, upper house chosen by lower house. This plan favored by large, more populous states.
NJ plan – weak executive of more than 1 person elected by Congress, national judiciary w/limited powers, 1 house (unicameral) legislature – 1 vote per state. This plan favored by smaller states.
Connecticut Compromise – legislative branch w/2 parts (House of Representatives with state representation based on population and Senate with 2 members/state). Gave larger states advantage in House & protected smaller in Senate.
XI. Decisions & Compromises
3/5ths Compromise – counted 3/5ths of enslaved Africans in determining state’s representation in House of Reps
Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise – allowed slave trade until 1808. Congress forbidden to tax exports & granted power to regulate both interstate commerce & trade w/other nations
Founders compromised on issue of slavery & simply ignored it for the most part in Constitution
Delegates agreed to other compromises – including 4 year term for president & Electoral CollegeXI. Decisions &
Compromises
Supporters & opponents of Constitution began great debate
Federalists – urged ratification – strong national govt needed to solve nation’s problems & deal w/foreign countries
Anti-Federalists – opposed ratification – Constitution drafted in secret, took important rights from states, & lacked Bill of Rights
Federalists proposed adding Bill of Rights, and small states learned more about Connecticut Compromise – battle over ratification ended
New national govt launched in 1789 – Congress met for 1st time in NYC. Soon after Washington took oath of office of President
XII. Ratifying the Constitution