Chapter 2:Origins of American

Government

Section 1: The Colonial PeriodAn English Political Heritage• It was the English who established and governed

the 13 original colonies along the Atlantic coast.

• At the heart of the English system were two principles of government.− Limited government− Representative government

Limited Government• The Magna Carta, or great Charter, that King

John was forced to signed in 1215 provided the basis for the principle of limited government.− The power of the monarch, or government, was

limited not absolute. − The charter also stated that certain taxes could

not be levied w/o popular consent.

*Petition of Right**English Bill of Rights*

Representative Government• The colonist had a firm belief in

representative government; people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government.− English Parliament

• House of Lords• House of Commons

New Political Ideas• John Locke

− All people born free, equal, and independent.− Rights to life, liberty, and property− If government failed to protect these natural

rights, the people could change that government.

Government in the Colonies

• Each English colony had its own government consisting of a governor, a legislature, and a court system.− Women and enslaved people could not vote.− Property qualification for voting

*Key Practices*1. written constitution

2. legislature of elected reps. 3. separation of powers

Mayflower compact signed by Pilgrims (1620) first example of colonial government.

Puritans in Connecticut drew up America’s first formal constitution. (Fundamental Orders of Connecticut)

Written Constitution

Colonial Legislatureso Virginia House of Burgesses; the first legislature

in America (1619).o Colonial legislatures example of the consent of

the governed b/c a large number of qualified men voted.

Separation of Powers

• Colonial charters divided the power of gov’t.− Legislatures had the power to pass laws, and

courts heard cases.− Division of power between branches of

government.

Section 2: Uniting for Independence

• Colonies to serves as a source of raw materials and a market for British goods.−Economic benefit

of Great Britain.−Colonist grew

accustomed to governing themselves.

Britain Tightens Control• Two events changed

the relationship b/w the colonists and Britain.− French and Indian War;

left Britain with large war debt that British expected colonies to help pay.

− George III became king (1760); had different ideas about how colonies should be governed.

Taxing the Colonies• To help pay for war, the king and his ministers

levied taxes on tea, sugar, glass, paper, and other products. − The Stamp Act; imposed the first direct tax on

colonist. (legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, dice and playing cards)

− Britain’s revenue, the money a government collects from taxes and or other sources, increased. • Political protest spread• Stamp Act repealed• Other tax laws passed• Boston Tea Party

Cont’d• In retaliation to

the Boston Tea Party, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)−Boston Harbor

closed−Quarter Act

• Colonial Unity−Harsh new British

policy spurred American sense of unity.

−Committees urged resistance against British.

1st Continental Congress

• Delegates from all colonies except Georgia met in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774.

• Imposed embargo; agreement prohibiting trade, on Britain.

• Lexington and Concord “Shot heard around the world”

2nd Continental Congress

• 13 colonies met• Assumed the powers

of central government.• John Hancock-

President• George Washington-

commander of Army

Independence• Committee asked Thomas Jefferson to write

draft for a declaration of independence.• July 4, 1776 the congress approved the final

draft of the Declaration of Independence. − Statement of the reasons for independence.

*transformation of colonies into states*

Section 3: The Articles of Confederation• In 1777 a committee

appointed by Congress presented a plan.−States wanted a

confederation (“league of friendship”) among 13 independent states.

−By March 1781 all 13 states had ratified, or approved the Articles of Confederation.

Government Under the Articles• Unicameral; single-

chamber legislature• There was no federal

court system• Each state had one

vote in congress• Congress had only

those powers expressed in the Articles

1. Make war and peace2. Send and receive

ambassadors3. Enter into treaties4. Raise and equip a navy5. Maintain an army by

requesting troops from states

6. Appoint senior military officers

7. Fix standards of weight and measures

8. Regulate Indian-affairs9. Establish post offices10. Decide certain disputes

among states

Weakness of the Articles• Because each state had no intention of giving up

its sovereignty to a central government, the Articles had weaknesses.− Congress did not have the power to levy or collect

taxes− Did not have power to regulate trade− Could not enforce laws− Laws needed approval from 9 of the 13 states.− Amending or changing the articles required consent

of all states− No executive branch− No national court system

Achievements• Establishment of a

fair policy for the development of lands west of the Appalachian.

• States ceded, or yielded their claims to the central gov’t.

• Congress enacted two land ordinances, or laws, that provided for the organization of these territories.

• Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Need for Stronger Government• States quarreled over boundaries and

tariffs. • Serious money problems

−Owed foreign govts and soldiers−Economic depression left many farmers

and small merchants angry and in debt.

• Shays’ Rebellion−Daniel Shays gathered a force of 1200

men and advanced on the federal arsenal in in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The Annapolis Convention• Called for constitutional convention• Alexander Hamilton persuaded other delegates

to call for another convention in Philadelphia to propose changes that would make the nat’l govt more effective.

Section 4: The Constitutional Convention• The Constitutional Convention began its work on

May 25, 1787.• James Madison; known as Father of the

Constitution because he was the author of the basic plan of gov’t that the convention eventually adopted.

• Convention began by choosing George Washington to preside over the meetings.

The Rising Sun Chair

Decisions and Compromises• The Virginia Plan– would give more control to

larger , more populous states in a strong national gov’t

• The New Jersey Plan– called for a less powerful government with more independence for states

• The Connecticut Compromise− Legislature would have 2 parts

• House of reps- based on population• Senate- 2 members from each state

Decisions cont’d• Three-Fifths Compromise; three-fifths of the

enslaved people would be counted for both taxes purposes and representation.

• Congress granted power to regulate interstate commerce; or trade among the states, and foreign commerce.

• Founders compromised on the slavery in order to successfully create the new government.

Ratifying the Constitution• Put into effect June 21, 1788The Federalist and Anti-Federalist• Anti-Federalists (against the Constitution)

− supporters=inland famers and labors who feared a strong national gov’t

− Claimed the Constitution was extralegal; not sanctioned by law.

− Believed Bill of Rights was needed− Patrick Henry

Cont’d• Federalist (favored the Constitution)

− Led by many of the founders− Supporters= merchants, city and coastal dwellers− Argued that w/o strong national gov’t, anarchy,

or political disorder, would triumph.− Promised to add Bill of Rights

*To help win the battle for ratification in New York Alexander Hamilton and James Madison publishedMore than 80 essays defending the new Constitution;The Federalist.*

Launching a New State• New York City as nation’s

temporary capital• George Washington—President• John Adams– Vice President• April 30, 1789 Washington took

oath of office becoming the first president of the U.S.

• First 10 amendments (Bill of Rights) ratified in 1791.