Foundation of American Democracy: British Legacy

Foundation of American Democracy: British Legacy

How did British rule influence the creation of American democracy?

Who were the enlightenment thinkers, and how did they contribute to the US

Constitution?

Political CartoonPolitical Cartoon

Describe the cartoon? What does it

represent? What is the message

is the cartoonist trying to convey?

Foundation of US DemocracyFoundation of US Democracy

Magna Carta (1215) English nobles forced the

king John to obey laws. King had to consult with

council before raising taxes

Foundation of US DemocracyFoundation of US Democracy

Glorious Revolution (1689) Parliament overrode the king’s authority Parliament replaced King James II with

William and Mary of Orange In return, King William signed the British Bill of

Rights. Trial by jury Tax increases and raising an army required

Parliament’s approval

British legacyBritish legacy

13 English Colonies (1687-1776) Reasons for leaving

England Religious Persecution Poverty King sent people to

open trading post

British legacyBritish legacy

13 English Colonies (1687-1776) Established

Massachusetts- place of religious tolerance

Virginia- Jamestown was established as a port for the king

Pennsylvania- Place where religious and political outsiders could have their own place, far away from England

British LegacyBritish Legacy

Road to Revolution: Colonist grievances-

Taxation without representation

– Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townsend Act

Tyranny of the King-– Disbanded colonial

legislatures

– Sent troops to the colonies in time of peace

– Navigation Act

British LegacyBritish Legacy

Intolerable Acts-– Quartering of soldiers

– Shut down ports

– Town meetings only w/ permission

British legacyBritish legacy

Colonists respond First Continental

Congress (1774) Colonies agreed to

raise troops Boycott British trade Officially petition King

George

British legacyBritish legacy

Colonists respond Second Continental

Congress (1776) Preparing for war Established a

continental army Voted for free trade Declaration of

Independence adopted– Enumerated the

colonists major grievances

– Official separation from England

Creating a New GovernmentCreating a New Government

Articles of Confederation (1777) Strengths

States will respect other states public acts, records, and judicial proceedings

Give other state’s citizens the same rights of their own citizens

Return any state fugitive if requested to do so

Creating a New GovernmentCreating a New Government

Articles of Confederation (1777) Weaknesses

Lacked a chief executive No power to tax citizens directly Lacked power to draft men Absence of a national court system Amendments required unanimity Lacked power to collect state debt Cannot settle disputes between states New national laws had to be approved by 9 of 13 colonies

The Revision of the GovernmentThe Revision of the Government

Constitutional Convention of 1787 Purpose

Revise the Articles of Confederation Create a framework for national government Create a new set of laws that make the nation

strong, yet protect rights of states and citizens Create conditions for successful self governance

Struggle for PowerStruggle for Power

Competing Plans Virginia plan New Jersey Plan 3/5 Compromise The Connecticut

Compromise

Democracy and VirtueDemocracy and Virtue

Hamilton Jefferson

US Constitution (1787)US Constitution (1787)Fundamental

principlesDefinition Enlightenment

ThinkersSeparation of church and state

Popular sovereignty

Federalism

Limited government

Checks and balances

Separation of powers

Judicial review

Enlightenment Thinkers: Thoughts on Human Nature

Enlightenment Thinkers: Thoughts on Human Nature

Montesquieu Humans are not equal, especially women, but

they should participate in govt. Women are gentle and balanced

Locke Humans can reason; therefore we can self

govern and care for ourselves. The state and law of nature is based on

reason and equality.

Enlightenment ThinkersEnlightenment Thinkers

Hobbes Human nature is evil thus chaos exist To eliminate chaos, people give up freedom

for stability

Rousseau Humans are born good and compassionate Human nature is peaceful Corruption results from modern influences

QuizQuiz

How did England influence the US government, economy, and culture?