Chapter 2: Origins of American Government

Chapter 2: Origins of American Government

From the beginnings of a nation through the adoption of the

Constitution.

From the beginnings of a nation through the adoption of the

Constitution.

1500’s:

• Europeans start coming to North America---

• The ENGLISH in the largest numbers!

The 13 Colonies were:

• Royal, Proprietary, or Charter

• Learned the difficult art of government

• The King of Britain had ultimate control/say over colonies

Early attempts at colonial Early attempts at colonial unity:unity:

1754: Albany Plan of Union:1754: Albany Plan of Union:

Ben Franklin proposedBen Franklin proposed

•The King kept a pretty tight reign over the colonies.

•Why were the colonists upset?

•Taxes without representation

No Taxation Without Representation

Colonists show resentment and anger by protesting, boycotting goods, Boston Tea Party

The First Continental Congress met---55 delegates, organized boycotts,set up second meeting

The Second The Second Continental CongressContinental Congress Met in Philadelphia on May 10,1775Met in Philadelphia on May 10,1775 Revolutionary War had already begun!Revolutionary War had already begun! John Hancock president of congress, John Hancock president of congress,

continental army formed—George continental army formed—George Washington Washington

Served as government during war—Served as government during war—from Declaration of Independence until from Declaration of Independence until adoption of Articles of Confederationadoption of Articles of Confederation

States established their own

constitutions

The ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

Est. 1777

The ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION

Est. 1777

“Firm league of friendship.”

Very weak National Government

What were some of the weaknesses?

What kind of relationship did the National Gov’t have with the States?

The Framers were:

well-educated and familiar with different types of governments. young. The average age was 42 and nearly ½ were in their 30s!

experienced in politics.

Many fought in the Revolution.

The Framers were:

well-educated and familiar with different types of governments. young. The average age was 42 and nearly ½ were in their 30s!

experienced in politics.

Many fought in the Revolution.

Called for a strong National Government with 3 separate branches.

It favored large States because the number of votes in the legislature would be based on a State’s population.

Resembled the Articles of Confederation, but with increased power of the Federal Government to tax and regulate trade.

It favored small States because each State was given equal representation in the legislature.

Resembled the Articles of Confederation, but with increased power of the Federal Government to tax and regulate trade.

It favored small States because each State was given equal representation in the legislature.

Congress should be composed of 2 houses.

In the Senate, the States would be represented equally.

In the House, the representation would be based on population.

So important it is often called the “Great Compromise.”

What did the Southern States want?

What did the Northern States want?

How should slaves be counted or if at all?

Final decision?

A new central government.

the ideas of popular sovereignty, limited government and representative government.

Separation of powers

checks and balances

A new central government.

the ideas of popular sovereignty, limited government and representative government.

Separation of powers

checks and balances

Favored ratification.

Led by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton.

Favored ratification.

Led by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton.

Opposed ratification.

Wanted states to have more power

Angry that there was no bill of rights

-On September 13, 1788 the Constitution was ratified.

-New Congress on March 4, 1789; Constitution becomes effective

-George Washington 1st

President.

LET’S REVIEW!(This will be on the website for

additional review at home!)

Ch. 1-2 Test:

Scan-Tron: multiple choice, true/false, matching, political cartoons/charts/graph

interpretation =50 pts

Short Answer: = primary source analysis, main idea questions = 20 pts

What should you study tonight?• Ch.1-2 of textbook

• Ch. 1-2 Notes

• Ch. 1-2 Packet

• Mrs. B’s Powerpoints—On Class Website

• Final Exam Review Guide #’s 1-26

• Come to additional review session after school!

What are the characteristics of a STATE?

• Population, Territory, Sovereignty, Government

What is government?

•Makes and enforces public policy (LAWS)

Name 3 things we expect our government to do for us

(as stated in the Preamble of the Constitution)

• Form a more perfect union

• Establish justice

• Provide for the common defense

• Insure domestic tranquility

• Promote the general welfare

• Secure the blessings of liberty

What is a representative democracy?

• People are the source of governmental power. We elect people to represent us in government

What is a federal government?• When a central government shares power

with regional governments (For the U.S.=the national government shares power with the states)

What type of government do we have in the United States? (need

3 classifications)

•Democratic (Representative)

•Federal

•Presidential

What type of government does Great Britain have? (3)

•Democracy

•Unitary

•Parliamentary

In what type of government is the executive part of the legislature?

•Parliamentary

List 3 important events in the origins of our government (up through the writing of the U.S.

Constitution• Columbus triggers European exploration

• 13 colonies established on Atlantic coast

• King George imposes harsh taxes

• Colonists protest, boycott, rebel

• First and Second Continental Congress meet

• Thomas Jefferson writes Declaration of Independence

• Revolutionary War begins/ends with colonist victory

• Articles of Confederation

• Constitutional Convention

Give three specific details about the Declaration of Independence

• Written by Thomas Jefferson on behalf of colonists—signed by Continental Congress

• Sent July 4, 1776

• Message to King George III/and circulated amongst colonists to gain support for war

• Main Idea: Colonies want independence from Britain

• Explains our philosophy of government (natural rights, government protects these rights, if not, we have right to overthrow—John Locke’s influence)

• Lists complaints against the king

• Doesn’t mean much if we don’t win the war!

What was the Articles of Confederation?

• First Constitution

• Set up first government during Revolutionary War

• Confederate form of govt—loose alliance of independent states

• Very weak central power

Name 2 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

• Each state got one vote in the legislature

• Didn’t have power to tax

• Didn’t have power to regulate commerce

• No executive

• No judicial

• 13/13 needed to make any changes to Articles

• 9/13 (69%) needed to make laws

• NO POWER (nothing binding)

What compromise finally settled the debate over representation in

Congress?

• The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

How was Congress set up?

• Bicameral: House of Representatives

Senate

House of Reps: Based on population (435)

Senate: Each state gets 2 (100)

SO, how many TOTAL legislatures do we have?

•535 (435+100)

What is the 3/5 Compromise?

• The compromise over how to count slaves in a state’s population

• Slaves were to count as 3/5 a person (for every 5 slaves, they counted as 3)

• Favored slave states

What is a Constitution?

• Written document that SETS UP A GOVERNMENT (outlines rules/power of government) Explains how a government will run

Who are the Federalists?

• Group of people who supported the RATIFICATION (approval) of the U.S. Constitution

• Ex’s: James Madison, Alexander Hamilton They circulated the Federalist Papers to try to gain support

Who are the Anti-Federalists?

• People who did NOT favor ratification of the Constitution

• Anti-Federalists had two main concerns:

1.States were losing too much power

2.It was missing a Bill of Rights

Ex’s: Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson