Government Chapter 2 Origins of American Government.

Government Chapter 2Origins of American Government

An English Political Heritage

Introduction:• Even though the American colonists got many of

their ideas about representative government and freedom from England, that country has no written constitution.

• The British constitution, which is one of the oldest in the world, was never set down in writing. Yet the centuries-old traditions of individual rights and limits on government in that unwritten constitution have been powerful forces for democracy in the United States, as well as in other nations.

Section 1: The Colonial Period

The Thirteen Colonies, as of 1775, were British colonies on the east coast of North America. Founded between 1607 (Virginia) and 1732

(Georgia), stretching from New England to the northern border of the Floridas.

Virginia House of Burgesses- 1st legislature in the Colonies.

Established by the Virginia Company, to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America and to make conditions in the colony more agreeable for its current inhabitant.

Virginia House of Burgesses

• Jamestown- first English settlement in N. America, established in 1607.

• Virginia Company, an English joint stock company established in 1606 by royal charter by King James I with the purpose of establishing colonial settlements in North America.

• 1990s, archaeologists unearthed nearly 250 feet of lines marking a defensive wall, east cannon, 3 cellars, and many artifacts.

• Evidence of the principals of self-governing community first practice in America.

Section 1: The Colonial Period cont. An English Political Heritage- most colonists

from England Limited Government- monarch’s or

government’s powers are limited, not absolute. Magna Carta (1215), first written rights Petition of Right- 1628, limiting the King’s

(Charles I) Power. He wanted to assimilate King Louis XVI of France. He was beheaded.

English Bill of Rights- 1689 bill is written, after the “Glorious Revolution,” William III and Mary II take the throne, deposing King James II (Second son of Charles I). It sets limits on the monarchs

William III and Mary II James II

Major Principals of the English Bill of Rights

Monarchs do not have absolute authority, but rule with the consent of the people’s representatives in Parliament;

The monarchs must have Parliament’s consent to suspend laws, levy taxes, or maintain an army;

The monarchs cannot interfere with parliamentary elections and debates;

The people have a right to petition the government and have a fair and speedy trial by a jury of their peers;

The people should not be subject to cruel and unusual punishment or to excessive fines and bail.

The Colonial Period cont. The English Bill of Rights greatly influenced the

American colonies. Colonists adopted the idea of representative

government. New Political Ideas- late 1600s and 1700s a shift in

paradigm, the Enlightenment movement—society and social relations should be base on reason. Locke and Rousseau- both had theories on social

contracts, in that people were born with natural rights. Locke—government legitimacy dependent upon

people’s consent. People could rebel to protect their rights.

Ex. The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution

Government in the Colonies

Each colony had its own government consisting of a governor, a legislature, and a court system.

Democracy prevails in the colonies- except for women and slaves, they could

not vote. Farmers could voice concerns and

partially vote. 9 out of 13 colonies had an official church

In Puritan towns, only church members could vote

Government in the Colonies cont.

Colonial government established practices currently observed in US government: Written Constitutions Legislature of elected representatives Separation of executive/legislative

powers

Government in the Colonies cont.

Written Constitutions—government according to a written plan (a framework). Mayflower Compact signed of 1620 by Pilgrims

was the first of many plans for self-government. In the1620s, Puritans established the Massachusetts

Bay Colony. In 1636, they adopted the General

Fundamentals, the 1st system of laws in the English colonies.

In 1639, Puritans drew up America’s first form constitution. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. Gave people right to elect governors, judges, and

representatives.

Government in the Colonies cont.

Colonial Legislature— Representative assemblies were established in the

colonies. Ex. The Virginia House of Burgesses in 1619, 12

years after the settlement of Jamestown. To the north, religion played an important role in

government. Puritan, in search of religious freedom Britain,

aimed to organize their government from within their religious circle.

By the 1700s representative government was an established tradition in America.

Name the 1st legislature in the English colonies.

The Virginia House of Burgesses

Government in the Colonies cont.

Separation of Powers Divided the powers of government

The governor, the king’s agent, had executive power

The legislative assembly had power to pass laws

The idea stems from Charles-Louis Montesquieu, an Enlightenment thinker, author of The Spirit of Laws.

These practice became the training ground for those who will write the Constitution.

Section 2: Uniting for Independence

The Colonies on Their own First 150 years following the settling of

Jamestown in 1607, the colonies governed themselves through their representatives.

All change that changed:

Section 2: Uniting for Independence cont.

French and Indian Wars George III takes over, tightens control Taxes raised to pay for the war

on tea, sugar, glass, paper… Stamp Act 1765- first direct tax

Taxes on documents, pamphlets, newspapers, dice and playing cards.

Section 2: Uniting for Independence cont.

Revenue increased for Britain, colonist upset Boston Tea Party—colonists dressed as

Mohawk Indians, dumped 342 chest of Britain tea into the Boston Harbor.

Coercive Acts/Intolerable Acts- Led to an Embargo Close Boston Harbor MA cololny could not govern itself By 1770s revolution was in sight.

Colonial Unity Before 1770s, colonists viewed themselves

as British subjects. Most thought to be Virginians, New

Yorkers or Georgians. By 1754, French attacks on the frontiers led

Benjamin Franklin to propose to unite the colonies through Albany Plan of Union, Franklin. It was rejected, too much power granted

to representatives of the 13 colonies. By 1760s, British oppression gave rise to

an American sense of community.

Colonial Unity: Taking Action 1n 1765, nine colonies organized a first meeting in

New York Taking political action against King George Argued that only colonial legislature could

impose direct taxes By 1773 Committees of Correspondence took

shape- Consisting of colonist organizing themselves

urging resistance Sam Adams led the way in Massachusetts

Within months, 80 committees in MA alone Virginia joined in, led by Thomas Jefferson and

Patrick Henry.

Colonial Unity: First Continental Congress

In Sept. 5, 1774, delegates of all the colonies, save Georgia, met in Philadelphia 1st Continental Congress- Key leaders:

Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Richard Henry Lee, and George Washington

they imposed an Embargo with Britain and agreed to meet in a year’s time.

Events unfolded rapidly, in April 19, 1775 Britain responded. Redcoats clashed with minutemen in Lexington and Concord in MA

Colonial Unity: Second Continental Congress

2nd Continental Congress Served as a central government John Hancock of MA as president Army and navy organized Issue money Jorge Washington as commander of the

Continental Army Albeit without constitutional authority, the

2nd Continental Congress served as an acting government throughout the Revolutionary War.

Colonial Unity: Independence

Motivation for independence grew Influences were:

Thomas Paine  ”a corsetmaker by trade, a journalist

by profession, and a propagandist by inclination”

He wrote Common Sense, argued that George III was an enemy of liberty

Samuel Adams In 1776, Proposed the independence of

America

Colonial Unity: Independence cont.

In 1776, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia declared independence.

After, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Robert Livingstone, and Roger Sherman set to write a written declaration of independence.

Jefferson, known fro his writing skills wrote the draft.

On July 2, 1776, Congress approved Lee’s proposal.

On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the final draft.

John Hancock, president of Congress, was the 1st out of 56 delegates to sing it.

Colonial Unity: Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence Jefferson wrote most of it

Key parts of the Declaration Locke’s ideas prominent 1st section- purpose and basic human

rights 2nd- Specific complaints against George III 3rd- Determination for separation from

Britain The Declaration of Independence gave rise

to states as stated in Ch. 1 At the end of 1776, 10 states had adopted

written constitutions.

Section 3: The Articles of Confederation

The Articles the plan for central government was simple and had weaknesses: Unicameral/single-chamber legislature No Executive or Judicial Branch No ability to tax No Commerce power/could not regulate trade

Interstate Commerce- Trade amongst States not controlled.

States did not want to give up their sovereignty

Need for Stronger Government Shays’s Rebellion-closed MA state supreme court Annapolis Convention fails, 5 States show up

Section 4: The Constitutional Convention

55 attend Elite of the time Madison, Father of the Constitution Washington to preside Abandon the Articles Decisions and Compromises

The Virginia Plan- Bicameral, based on population

The New Jersey Plan- Equality in the Legislature Connecticut Compromise- Bicameral, House

(population) and Senate (Equality

Decisions and Compromises

Three-Fifths Compromise Commerce Compromise

No Tariffs on exports Control Interstate Commerce

Slavery Question- 1808 couldn’t touch, leave it to others

Voting- let the States decide

Ratifying the Constitution

Federalists- Strong central government, support the Constitution

Anti-Federalist Federalist Papers- argue for ratifying 9 of 13 needed Bill of Rights- limited government, rights

of the people From the Magna Carta and English bill

of Rights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAB3vAoilhw

What changed the political dynamics between Great Britain and the colonies in America?

1. French and Indian Wars

2. George III takes over in 1760, tightens control