Chapter 4America’s Political Heritage

Wrote Common Sense, 1776 Goal – to gain freedom from England & form

a new gov. Goal attained – American colonies fought

against England in the American Revolution. They formed the U.S.A. & created the Constitution.

Thomas Paine Quote

Nov. 11, 1620 Pilgrim men signed an agreement to make

& obey, just & equal laws for the general good of the colony.

Important step towards self-gov..

Mayflower Compact

13 colonies – elected representatives to form legislature to make laws.

Virginia House of Burgesses (1619) - first legislature◦ Others soon followed

England had authority but granted authority to colonies through Charters◦ However, if colonies challenged England’s authority, the

charter was revoked (taken away) & a royal gov. was established.

A Voice in gov.

English governor could reject any laws passed by the colonial legislature. This ensured that England had final authority.

BUT England was busy fighting wars so the colonists were self-governed for most of the 1600s & early 1700s.

A Voice in gov. (continued)

Colonial citizens resisted the English appointed colonial governors who ignored their rights.◦ Appointed governors represented the interests of England

& proprietors (wealthy nobles or merchants that held charters)

Preserving Rights

Colonial legislatures clashed with governors & proprietors.◦ Virginia House of Burgess- they declared that the

governor could not tax the citizens without the approval of the legislature first.

◦ 1641 - Massachusetts legislature passed laws to protect citizens’ rights.

Preserving Rights (continued)

American rights & traditions stem from the colonial period.

Differences◦ Most people who vote today were not allowed to vote

back then. During the colonial period, only white men who owned

land were allowed to vote (they thought that they were the only ones affected by the laws). These white men were thought to be educated & have enough free time.

No slaves were allowed because they were considered property.

◦ However, the American colonies were among the only ones who were allowed to participate in gov.

Citizenship in the Colonies

Back then, like now- colonists’ main responsibility was to help the common good.◦ Serve on juries◦ Volunteer for the armed forces◦ Supported education

Puritans set up public schools & Harvard. Set up private schools & home-schooling

The Common Good

Our freedoms now came about through the efforts of the colonists.

Greater religious freedom- puritans left England because they were persecuted by the Anglican Church.◦ However, puritans persecuted anyone who disagreed

with their religious views.

Some Roots of Freedom

◦ Roger Williams – a minister who was kicked out of his colony because he criticized other religious leaders. He then formed his own colony called Rhode Island. There he allowed religious freedom. Soon others followed his example.

Colonists definition of religious freedom – all Christian religions – it did not include non-Christian religions.◦ This was still an important step towards complete

religious freedom.

Some Roots of Freedom (continued)

Early 1700s – colonial newspapers provided colonists with information.◦ They DID NOT criticize the governor.

Freedom of the Press

1735- trail of John Peter Zenger◦ Zenger printed articles criticizing the NY governor (said

that the NY governor accepted bribes & interfered with elections)

◦ NY governor burned the articles & accused Zenger of starting a rebellion.

◦ Zenger’s lawyer argued that if Zenger is right then he is innocent. Freedom of the press = basic human right.

◦ Jury said NOT guilty.◦ Paved the way for other colonies to expose corrupt gov.

though there was not complete freedom of the press.

Freedom of the Press (continued)

Mid 1700s English tightened American colony control & turned them into Royal colonies.

Colonial citizens were angered at the abuse of power - TYRANNY.

Signs of Discontent

Urged colonists to look into the past for inspiration on gov.

John Locke

Athens, Greece – ruled by kings but Athenians believed that the wisdom of the citizens together was superior to that of one ruler.◦ Created 1st direct democracy – laws made by citizens.◦ Citizens met to make life better.◦ American colonists practiced this by having town

meetings. BUT - citizenship was limited.

Looking to Ancient Greece

Rome – colonial legislature resembled representative gov. in Rome.◦ 509 BC – Romans founded a Republic gov. with elected

representatives to make laws.◦ Still had limited citizenship.

Looking to Ancient Rome

Magna Carta (1215): aka Great Charter◦ Lists rights that English monarch couldn’t take away. ◦ Signed by King John◦ 1st time monarch’s power was limited.

The English Tradition

English Bill of Rights◦ Late 1200s – parliament established. It eventually

became more powerful than the monarch.◦ 1689 – Bill of Rights passed.

Further limited the monarch Listed all the rights of the English citizens

Rights include – right to petition & right to trial by jury.

Magna Carta & English Bill of Rights – protected against TYRANNY.

The English Tradition (continued)

John Locke – people can recognize their natural rights (life, liberty, & property) that they were born with. No gov. can take them away.◦ Believed that gov. exists for the people.

Montesquieu – French writer◦ Preached separation of powers (legislature – make laws,

executive – enforces laws, judicial – interprets laws) No branch can have too much power.

Relying on Reasoning

Amer. Colonists believed that only their legislatures represented them, not the English parliament.◦ No colonists were members of parliament and

could not vote for them.◦ Parliament didn’t understand colonists’ needs

Colonists wanted to trade with other countries but Parliament said only England.

Still, colonists helped Eng. defeat France in the French and Indian War in 1763.

A Clash of Views

War debt caused Parliament to raise colonists’ taxes on trade goods.

Colonists said no – they won’t be taxed unless agreed upon by their own reps.

Par. Gave more power to governors (threw colonists in jail). Par. Ignored protests and complaints.

“No Taxation without Representation” (John Locke)

Committees of Correspondence – passed news between colonies about England violating their rights.

First Continental Congress – 1774, 12 colonies met in Philadelphia.◦ Pledged to cut off trade with England

2nd Continental Congress – 1775, fighting against Eng. had already begun.◦ Voted for independence

Colonists were still fearful of separating themselves from Eng.

Step Towards Independence

Written to explain why they should be a free nation.

Thomas Jefferson wrote about “unalienable” rights and how citizens give power to the gov.

Listed ways Eng. Ignored their rights Adopted by reps. In Philadelphia on July 4,

1776

The Declaration of Independence

State Constitutions – plan of gov. – spelled out the limits of gov. power. – included citizen’s rights.◦ Limited yrs. Governor holds office◦ Separation of powers – legislature had most power

because it represented the colonists. Articles of Confederation – 1777 – Continental

Congress drew up a loose confederation/alliance between the 13 colonies.◦ National legislature – each colony had 1 vote.◦ No executive or judicial branches

Organizing a New Government

National Legislatures aka congress◦ Power

To declare war Make treaties Work out state trade

◦ No power To tax Enforce lawsMost power remained with the states.

A of C needed to be ratified/approved by all 13 states – finally ratified in 1781

Articles of Confederation (continued)

Winning the war against England caused economic problems – could not pay off debt◦ Lost confidence in Amer. $

Shay’s Rebellion◦ Farmers went into debt because they could not sell crops to

Caribbean ◦ State legislatures taxed farmers’ land and many lost their

farms because they couldn’t pay.◦ 1786 – angry Massachusetts farmers, led by Daniel Shays

stormed into courtrooms. MA militia was used to crush rebellion

◦ News spread of rebellion and many wanted a new stronger central gov. to keep law and deal with economic problems.

◦ George Washington – thought A of C was weak

Weak Government