September 11, 2014 Objectives: To develop a better understanding of the foundations of American Government.

September 11, 2014

Objectives: To develop a better understanding of the foundations of American Government.

Foundations of the Foundations of the ConstitutionConstitution

In the beginning…In the beginning… 1750s-Great Britain was in debt and 1750s-Great Britain was in debt and

searching for new revenue. searching for new revenue.

The colonies paid little in taxes and had The colonies paid little in taxes and had just been defended by the British during just been defended by the British during the French and Indian Warthe French and Indian War

The colonies, however, had lived under The colonies, however, had lived under self rule for over 100 years and were not self rule for over 100 years and were not willing to give that up.willing to give that up.

Formation of the first governments of the 13 colonies

Highly Influenced by:– English Law– English Tradition– English Religion (mix of Protestantism and

Catholicism)

What ideas influenced the first colonial governments?– Hebrews-

(Ten Commandments) – laws based on morals– Greeks-

(direct democracy) – everyone participated directly (smaller society)

– Romans- (Classical republic) – elect people to represent

you. People practice “civic virtue”. Promotion of the common good. Moral education.

What influenced the colonists?

Old English Documents– Magna Carta

(1215) first document to limit the King’s power

Established Due Process– Habeas Corpus Act

(1678) government must tell you what you are being held for and show evidence against you.

– Petition of Right (1628) Government could not tax without

consent Government could not quarter troops

– English Bill of Rights (1689) Parliament replaced dominant

power of King (legislative supremacy) Trial by jury No cruel and unusual punishment Right to bear arms

Mayflower Compact

Written and signed by 41 Pilgrims in 1620.

The first example at self-government.

The Virginia Houseof Burgesses

First legislature in America. Established in 1619. The ideals and origins established

here would later factor into the writing of the Constitution.

Britain Tightens Control

For more than 150 years Britain practiced salutary neglect toward the colonies.

What changed?– Seven Years War (a.k.a. The French and

Indian War) 1754-1763.– George III became king in 1760.

There’s a War to pay for!!!

1765 Stamp Act

First direct Act.

Repealed in 1766, but…

The Coercive Actsor

The Intolerable Acts

All Acts were directed at reminding the colonists of who was in control – Britain.

United in BrotherhoodWe Will

Not ComplyColonists take another look at Franklin’s Albany Plan of Union, which he offered during the French and Indian War.

1765 Stamp Act Congress

1773 Committees of Correspondence.

First Continental Congress

September 5, 1774 in Philadelphia. All colonies present except Georgia. 56 men wrote and sent a letter of

grievances and resolves to King George III (The Olive Branch Petition.)

Meet back the next year. Before meeting answer came on April

19, 1775. (KGIII “Nuts to this”)

Second Continental Congress

May 1775 in Philadelphia 56 men from all 13 colonies. Chose John Hancock as president of

Congress. Richard Henry Lee would propose

resolutions for independence. Committee was appointed to write.

Final 5

Write down an example of representation in your lives…

September 11, 2014September 11, 2014

Objectives: To develop a better Objectives: To develop a better understanding of the foundations of understanding of the foundations of the American Constitutionthe American Constitution

The Declaration of Independence.

Committee:– Thomas Jefferson (VA)*

– Benjamin Franklin (PA)+

– John Adams (MA)+

– Roger Sherman (CT)– Robert Livingston (NY)

* Selected to write the document. + Offered suggestions.

Declaration of Independence

Approved on July 2, 1776. Began signing on July 4, 1776. All had signed by August 4, 1776.

Articles of Confederation First functioning Government Ratified in 1781

– While Revolution is in progress Most real power with the

States• Binding was a ‘rope of sand’• Lots of quarrelling between the

states Just one Congress

– Unicameral (one house)– each State had 1 representative– it took 9/13 States to pass a law– it took 13/13 States to approve a

treaty or amend the Articles– No executive or judicial branch– Could pass laws, make treaties,

declare war & peace, borrow money, and create a postal system

Articles of Confederation has Problems

Weaknesses of the A of C1. Congress couldn't require States to obey national

laws (no Judicial branch)2. The central government has little power over

foreign trade3. Congress could not tax (ask states for money or

borrow) = Nat’l Gov’t in debt4. The Confederation has no effective military force.5. Each state issues its own coins and paper money6. The Confederation must ask states for money to

support the federal Government7. At least nine states are required to pass legislation

(difficult to pass laws)8. Changes in the Articles require a unanimous vote

of the thirteen, makes it impossible to change the constitution

September 12, 2014September 12, 2014

Objectives: To develop an Objectives: To develop an understanding of the background to understanding of the background to the U.S. Constitutionthe U.S. Constitution

We NEED a stronger Government!!!

“Shay’s Rebellion” scares a lot of people – A Small Rebellion of Massachusetts farmers that were veterans of the war, and had not received pay, and many lost their farms due to debt.

Have a ‘Constitutional Convention’ meet in Philadelphia, to rework the Articles– Philadelphia in May 1787

End up creating a new Constitution

Constitutional Convention 55 delegates from 12 states

meet ‘for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation’– “the well-bred, the well-fed,

the well-read, and the well-wed”

– Average age is 42, 2/3 lawyers, 1/3 owned slaves

No Rhode Island, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Sam Adams, John Hancock, or Patrick Henry!

“Father of the Constitution”– James Madison of Virginia– Spoke over 200 times– Took extensive notes

Constitutional Conflict!!!

Virginia Plan– Strong national government– Three branches of government

(legislative, executive, judicial)

– Two houses of congress, based on population*

– Big states like it! VA, Penn, NC, Mass, NY, MD

The small state delegates are upset! Convention almost collapses.

Lots of ideasDecided to throw out the old Constitution

what to do now?

The Virginia Plan

Introduced by Edmund Randolph. Governmental Plan -Strong National Executive -Strong National Judicial

– Strong bicameral legislature. (Represetation based

– on population Lower house chosen by the people. Upper house chosen by the lower.

– Problem: Larger populated states would control.

The New Jersey Plan

JUST before was voted on, NJ introduced a new plan New Jersey Plan: Introduced by William Paterson. Governmental Plan:

– Keep main provisions of Articles of Confederation.– Unicameral legislature, one vote for each state.– Weak executive branch would be chosen by Congress.– National judiciary with limited power chosen by

Congress.

The Compromises

The Great Compromise The Connecticut Plan Introduced by Roger

Sherman.– Legislature be bicameral

House of Representatives based on state population. Senate with two members from each state.

Established the process of compromise to solve issues!!!!

Representation of Slaves?.– South wanted slaves to be counted in population

–Elbridge Gerry (Mass) said” If you want slaves to count “make them citizens and let them vote.”

– 3/5 of them would be counted for tax purposes and representation. (5 slaves would count as 3 people)

– Also agreed Congress would not ban slave trade until 1808.

–3/5 COMPROMISE

How to Elect the President?How to Elect the President?

Liberals proposed Popular VoteLiberals proposed Popular Vote Conservatives feared and distrusted of Conservatives feared and distrusted of

people electing the Pres!people electing the Pres!

Compromise: Popular vote BUT…………………Compromise: Popular vote BUT…………………

The people would The people would not directly elect not directly elect the the President. President.

Each state would choose electors that would Each state would choose electors that would

elect the President (elect the President (Electoral Electoral CollegeCollege))

Constitutional Convention Ends -Sept. 17, 1787 17 long weeks

42 original members sign No one was completely satisfied

– (so many compromises)

– CONVENTION DID NOT HAVE THE– AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH. – MUST BE SENT TO THE STATES FOR

RATIFICATION!!!!!!!!!!!!

Minority TriumphMinority Triumph– Represented wealthy conservative factionsRepresented wealthy conservative factions– ¼ of adult white males had voted for delegate¼ of adult white males had voted for delegate

Unusual methods (compromise) but created Unusual methods (compromise) but created effective gov’teffective gov’t

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION