Origins of American Government Andy Meehan Rebekah Bertagnoli A.J. Mayer.

Origins of American Origins of American GovernmentGovernment

Andy MeehanAndy Meehan

Rebekah BertagnoliRebekah Bertagnoli

A.J. MayerA.J. Mayer

FoundationsFoundations

The U.S. Constitutional system has The U.S. Constitutional system has incorporated democratic ideas from Athens incorporated democratic ideas from Athens and Rome.and Rome. Athens-Direct DemocracyAthens-Direct Democracy Rome-indirect democracyRome-indirect democracy

Ordered GovernmentOrdered Government

First English colonists saw the need for an First English colonists saw the need for an orderly regulation of their relationships with orderly regulation of their relationships with one another.one another.

Formed local governments based on their Formed local governments based on their English ideas.English ideas.

Examples of offices: sheriff, coroner, assessor, Examples of offices: sheriff, coroner, assessor, and justice of the peace….and justice of the peace….

Limited GovernmentLimited Government

Deeply rooted in English belief and practice Deeply rooted in English belief and practice by the time the first ships reached America.by the time the first ships reached America.

Colonists didn’t want the government to be too Colonists didn’t want the government to be too strong.strong.

Representative Gov.Representative Gov.

The idea that the government should serve the The idea that the government should serve the will of the people. “government of, by, and will of the people. “government of, by, and for the people.”for the people.”

FoundationsFoundations Ideas gained from famous documents:Ideas gained from famous documents:

Magna CartaMagna Carta Limited power of the governmentLimited power of the government Fundamental rightsFundamental rights

Trial by JuryTrial by Jury Due process of LawDue process of Law

English Bill of RightsEnglish Bill of Rights Limited power of the MonarchLimited power of the Monarch

No standing army in peacetimeNo standing army in peacetime Free electionsFree elections Right of petitionRight of petition Parliamentary checks on powerParliamentary checks on power

English Petition of RightsEnglish Petition of Rights Early document supporting idea that men have rights and Early document supporting idea that men have rights and

establishing concept of rule of lawestablishing concept of rule of law Included basic rightsIncluded basic rights

Guarantee of trial by juryGuarantee of trial by jury Protection against marshal lawProtection against marshal law Protection against quartering of troopsProtection against quartering of troops Protection of private propertyProtection of private property

FoundationsFoundations

Fundamental political principlesFundamental political principles Limited Government-John Locke, Thomas Hobbes Limited Government-John Locke, Thomas Hobbes

(Constitution of Virginia, Constitution of the (Constitution of Virginia, Constitution of the United States, Declaration of Independence)United States, Declaration of Independence)

Government’s authority coming only from the Government’s authority coming only from the consent of the governed-John Locke (Declaration consent of the governed-John Locke (Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the United of Independence, Constitution of the United States)States)

FoundationsFoundations Separation of powers- Montesquieu (Constitution Separation of powers- Montesquieu (Constitution

of the United States, Constitution of Virginia)of the United States, Constitution of Virginia) The Charters of the Virginia Company extended The Charters of the Virginia Company extended

the rights of Englishmen to the coloniststhe rights of Englishmen to the colonists The philosophies of Locke and Rousseau are The philosophies of Locke and Rousseau are

expressed in the Declaration of Independence:expressed in the Declaration of Independence: Rousseau believed that all men are created equalRousseau believed that all men are created equal Locke believed that government is based on an Locke believed that government is based on an

agreement between people and their rulers (“social agreement between people and their rulers (“social contract”). He felt that people have the right to life, contract”). He felt that people have the right to life, liberty, and property.liberty, and property.

FrameworkFramework

Ratification debatesRatification debates Nine of thirteen states needed to ratify Nine of thirteen states needed to ratify

ConstitutionConstitution Anti-Federalist positionAnti-Federalist position

Suspicious of a strong central governmentSuspicious of a strong central government Wanted Bill of Rights to protect personal libertiesWanted Bill of Rights to protect personal liberties

Federalist PositionFederalist Position Believed that a strong central government was the best way to Believed that a strong central government was the best way to

protect freedomprotect freedom

FrameworkFramework

The FederalistThe Federalist was a series of essays supporting was a series of essays supporting adoption of the Constitution.adoption of the Constitution.

The preamble to the Constitution establishes the The preamble to the Constitution establishes the purpose of governmentpurpose of government To form a more perfect unionTo form a more perfect union To establish justiceTo establish justice To ensure domestic tranquilityTo ensure domestic tranquility To provide for the common defenseTo provide for the common defense To promote the general welfareTo promote the general welfare To secure the blessings of libertyTo secure the blessings of liberty

FrameworkFramework Fundamental principlesFundamental principles

Consent of the governed: People are the only source of Consent of the governed: People are the only source of governmental powergovernmental power

Limited government: the government may do only those Limited government: the government may do only those things that the people have given it the power to dothings that the people have given it the power to do

Separation of powers: Government is divided into three Separation of powers: Government is divided into three branches- Legislative, executive, and Judicialbranches- Legislative, executive, and Judicial

Checks and balances: this is a system whereby each branch Checks and balances: this is a system whereby each branch of government exercises some control on the othersof government exercises some control on the others

Federalism: In this form of government, powers are Federalism: In this form of government, powers are divided between the national and state governments.divided between the national and state governments.

Rule of Law: The Constitution of the United States is Rule of Law: The Constitution of the United States is supreme and all individuals are accountable under the lawsupreme and all individuals are accountable under the law

Royal ColoniesRoyal Colonies

Subject to direct control of the Crown.Subject to direct control of the Crown. There were eight of them: New Hampshire, There were eight of them: New Hampshire,

Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, N.C., S.C. and Georgia.N.C., S.C. and Georgia.

The king named a governor to serve as colony’s chief The king named a governor to serve as colony’s chief executive. A council also named by the king, serving executive. A council also named by the king, serving as an advisory body for the royal governor.as an advisory body for the royal governor.

they had a bicameral legislature elected by property they had a bicameral legislature elected by property owners in the lower house, the upper house was the owners in the lower house, the upper house was the governor and the council.governor and the council.

Laws passed had to be approved by the governor and Laws passed had to be approved by the governor and the Crown.the Crown.

Proprietary ColoniesProprietary Colonies

Three of them: Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Three of them: Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.Delaware.

Organized by a proprietor, a person whom the Organized by a proprietor, a person whom the king had made a grant of land. king had made a grant of land.

Also had a governor like the royal colonies.Also had a governor like the royal colonies. Maryland and Delaware bicameral and Maryland and Delaware bicameral and

Pennsylvania unicameral.Pennsylvania unicameral.

Charter ColoniesCharter Colonies

Connecticut and Rhode Island were the only Connecticut and Rhode Island were the only two.two.

Based on charters granted in 1662 and 1663 Based on charters granted in 1662 and 1663 respectively to colonists themselves. respectively to colonists themselves.

Governors elected each year by the white, Governors elected each year by the white, male property owners of each colony.male property owners of each colony.

Two house legislature appointed judges.Two house legislature appointed judges.

Coming of IndependenceComing of Independence

Britain’s Colonial Policies: The Crown took Britain’s Colonial Policies: The Crown took little matters in the management of the little matters in the management of the colonies, but was interested in the trade.colonies, but was interested in the trade.

By this time mostly self-governed, and not By this time mostly self-governed, and not many direct taxes sent back to England.many direct taxes sent back to England.

1760 Britain became more strict and began to 1760 Britain became more strict and began to place trade acts, and new taxes. place trade acts, and new taxes.

““No Taxation without Representation.” No Taxation without Representation.”

Coming of IndependenceComing of Independence Growing Colonial UnityGrowing Colonial Unity 1643 Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, new Haven, and 1643 Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, new Haven, and

Connecticut settlements formed the New England Connecticut settlements formed the New England Confederation. It developed a league of friendship to help in Confederation. It developed a league of friendship to help in defense against the Native Americans. defense against the Native Americans.

1754 the Albany Plan- 7 northern colonies: Connecticut, 1754 the Albany Plan- 7 northern colonies: Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rode Island.Pennsylvania, and Rode Island.

Plan proposed by Franklin said this: an annual congress of Plan proposed by Franklin said this: an annual congress of delegates from each of the 13 colonies. It was used for delegates from each of the 13 colonies. It was used for military action against the French and Native Americans…it military action against the French and Native Americans…it didn’t go into action, but his ideas would be remembered for didn’t go into action, but his ideas would be remembered for later.later.

Coming of IndependenceComing of Independence Stamp Act Congress:Stamp Act Congress: New taxes being in imposed by England, one was the stamp New taxes being in imposed by England, one was the stamp

tax. tax. October 1765 nine colonies-all except Georgia, New October 1765 nine colonies-all except Georgia, New

Hampshire, N.C. and Virginia sent delegates to the Stamp Act Hampshire, N.C. and Virginia sent delegates to the Stamp Act Congress in NY.Congress in NY.

Put together a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, this Put together a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, this marked the first time a significant number of the colonies had marked the first time a significant number of the colonies had joined to oppose Britain. joined to oppose Britain.

More laws caused riots at ports and a boycott on all English More laws caused riots at ports and a boycott on all English goods. (Boston Massacre) goods. (Boston Massacre)

Committees of Correspondence formed by Samuel Adams, the Committees of Correspondence formed by Samuel Adams, the Boston Tea Party 1773.Boston Tea Party 1773.

Coming of IndependenceComing of Independence

The First Continental Congress:The First Continental Congress: Intolerable ActsIntolerable Acts Formed the Congress to discuss and send a Formed the Congress to discuss and send a

declaration to England telling them to repeal declaration to England telling them to repeal the taxes. (Sept. 5 1774-Oct. 26)the taxes. (Sept. 5 1774-Oct. 26)

Agreed to meet again in may for a second Agreed to meet again in may for a second time.time.

Coming of IndependenceComing of Independence Second Continental Congress:Second Continental Congress: Refusal of compromise by EnglandRefusal of compromise by England May 10, 1775 they met by this time the Revolution had May 10, 1775 they met by this time the Revolution had

begun…Hancock was the President of the Congress and begun…Hancock was the President of the Congress and Washington was in charge of the military. Thomas Jefferson Washington was in charge of the military. Thomas Jefferson took Washington’s place in the Virginia delegation.took Washington’s place in the Virginia delegation.

This Congress served as government fighting a war, raising This Congress served as government fighting a war, raising armies, a navy, borrowed funds, bought supplies, created a armies, a navy, borrowed funds, bought supplies, created a money system, and made treaties with foreign nations.money system, and made treaties with foreign nations.

Unicameral Congress exercised both legislative and executive Unicameral Congress exercised both legislative and executive powers.—Large State—had one vote.powers.—Large State—had one vote.

Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence

July 2, 1776 Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, July 2, 1776 Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson, drafted the Declaration.Thomas Jefferson, drafted the Declaration.

July 4, 1776 we are free!July 4, 1776 we are free!

First State ConstitutionsFirst State Constitutions

1776-1777 most of the states adopted written 1776-1777 most of the states adopted written constitutions-bodies of fundamental laws setting out constitutions-bodies of fundamental laws setting out the principles, structures, and process of their the principles, structures, and process of their government. Massachusetts constitution of 1780 is government. Massachusetts constitution of 1780 is the oldest present-day State constitutions.the oldest present-day State constitutions.

Common features: Popular sovereignty, they were Common features: Popular sovereignty, they were brief documents giving limitations on the brief documents giving limitations on the government.government.

Elective terms of office were made purposely short, Elective terms of office were made purposely short, seldom more than one or two years. Voters were seldom more than one or two years. Voters were white, male, property owners. white, male, property owners.

The Critical PeriodThe Critical Period

Articles of Confederation-established “a firm Articles of Confederation-established “a firm league of friendship” among the States. Under league of friendship” among the States. Under this plan, each State kept “its sovereignty, this plan, each State kept “its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every Power, freedom, and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction, and right…not… expressly Jurisdiction, and right…not… expressly delegated to the U.S., in Congress assembled.”delegated to the U.S., in Congress assembled.”

States than ratified it on March 1, 1781.States than ratified it on March 1, 1781.

Structure, Powers, WeaknessStructure, Powers, Weakness Unicameral, made up of delegates chosen yearly by the States Unicameral, made up of delegates chosen yearly by the States

in whatever way their legislatures might direct. Each state had in whatever way their legislatures might direct. Each state had one vote in the Congress. No executive or judicial branch. one vote in the Congress. No executive or judicial branch. They chose one of the members to preside over the CongressThey chose one of the members to preside over the Congress

Power consisted of making war and peace; send and receive Power consisted of making war and peace; send and receive ambassadors; make treaties; borrow money; set up a money ambassadors; make treaties; borrow money; set up a money system, ect…system, ect…

Weaknesses- no power to tax, raise money only by borrowing Weaknesses- no power to tax, raise money only by borrowing and by asking for State funds. No executive to enforce acts of and by asking for State funds. No executive to enforce acts of congress. No national courts system and 9/13 states had to congress. No national courts system and 9/13 states had to ratify for every law.ratify for every law.

A need for a stronger governmentA need for a stronger government

Mount Vernon-Maryland and Virginia, Mount Vernon-Maryland and Virginia, plagued by bitter trade disputes, took the first plagued by bitter trade disputes, took the first step in the movement for change. Resulted in step in the movement for change. Resulted in “a joint meeting of all the States to recommend “a joint meeting of all the States to recommend a federal plan for regulating commerce. a federal plan for regulating commerce.

Annapolis-5/13 States showed up…1787 Annapolis-5/13 States showed up…1787 seven named delegates to the Philadelphia seven named delegates to the Philadelphia meeting, this became the Constitutional meeting, this became the Constitutional Convention.Convention.

Creating the ConstitutionCreating the Constitution The Framers: twelve of the thirteen states, all but The Framers: twelve of the thirteen states, all but

Rhode Island attended sending 74 delegates to Philly. Rhode Island attended sending 74 delegates to Philly. 55 attended the convention and all of them were 55 attended the convention and all of them were outstanding and intelligent people. outstanding and intelligent people.

They were of a new generation of political minds. They were of a new generation of political minds. They met at Independence Hall, the same room the They met at Independence Hall, the same room the

Declaration was signed 11 years earlier. Declaration was signed 11 years earlier. Washington was president of the convention.Washington was president of the convention. They worked in secrecy. It was at first used to revise They worked in secrecy. It was at first used to revise

the Articles but than was decided that they should the Articles but than was decided that they should rewrite everything. rewrite everything.

Virginia PlanVirginia Plan

This plan called for a new government with This plan called for a new government with three separate branches: legislative, executive, three separate branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.and judicial.

Divided into two houses the House of reps. Divided into two houses the House of reps. and the senate, which were chosen by the and the senate, which were chosen by the House from a list of persons nominated by the House from a list of persons nominated by the State legislatures.State legislatures.

Smaller states thought these ideas were too Smaller states thought these ideas were too radical.radical.

New Jersey PlanNew Jersey Plan

A unicameral system with each of the States A unicameral system with each of the States equally represented. equally represented.

Called for a federal executive of more than one Called for a federal executive of more than one person. This person would be chosen by person. This person would be chosen by Congress and could be removed by it at the Congress and could be removed by it at the request of a majority of the States’ governors. request of a majority of the States’ governors.

CompromisesCompromises

The Connecticut Compromise- agreed that The Connecticut Compromise- agreed that Congress should be composed of two houses. Congress should be composed of two houses. In the small Senate, the States would be In the small Senate, the States would be represented equally. The House would be represented equally. The House would be based on population. AKA Great based on population. AKA Great Compromise.Compromise.

3/5ths Compromise- Provided that all “free 3/5ths Compromise- Provided that all “free persons” should be counted, and so, too should persons” should be counted, and so, too should “three-fifths of all other persons.”“three-fifths of all other persons.”

CompromiseCompromise

The commerce and slave trade compromise- The commerce and slave trade compromise- Congress was forbidden the power to tax the Congress was forbidden the power to tax the export of goods from any State. It was also export of goods from any State. It was also forbidden the power to act on the salve trade forbidden the power to act on the salve trade for a period of at least 20 years.for a period of at least 20 years.

The Constitution is said to be a “bundle of The Constitution is said to be a “bundle of compromises.”compromises.”

Ratifying the ConstitutionRatifying the Constitution

Two groups emerged from the States Two groups emerged from the States Federalists who approved ratification and Federalists who approved ratification and Anti-Federalists who apposed the ratification.Anti-Federalists who apposed the ratification.

Two major features of the proposed Two major features of the proposed Constitution drew the heaviest fire: The Constitution drew the heaviest fire: The greatly increased powers of the central greatly increased powers of the central government and the lack of a bill of rights.government and the lack of a bill of rights.

Nine States ratifyNine States ratify

Inaugurating the GovernmentInaugurating the Government

September 13, 1788 11 of 13 States “under the September 13, 1788 11 of 13 States “under the federal roof,” the Congress of the Confederation federal roof,” the Congress of the Confederation paved the way for its successor.paved the way for its successor.

New York-temporary capital, first Wednesday in Feb. New York-temporary capital, first Wednesday in Feb. was set as the date on which those electors would was set as the date on which those electors would vote, and the first Wednesday in March as the date vote, and the first Wednesday in March as the date for the inauguration of the new government.for the inauguration of the new government.

On April 30On April 30thth Washington took the oath of office as Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the U.S.the first President of the U.S.

SourcesSources

Prentice Hall- Magruder’s American Prentice Hall- Magruder’s American Government text book.Government text book.

http://www.sullivan-county.com/http://www.sullivan-county.com/bush/constitution.htmbush/constitution.htm