NotesChapter 2-1

Nondemocratic GovernmentCitizens have no power to rule1. Monarchy – Kingdom or empire led by a royal leader, often ceremonial, in past ruled with force and was an Absolute Monarchy. Example: Jordan2. Dictatorship – One ruler with absolute power; often use force, ruler answers to self only. No public opinion or rights. Example: Iraq, formerly.3. Totalitarian – Ruled by one party, absolute power, similar to dictatorship. Example: China, North Korea4. Theocracy – Controlled by one or more religious leaders who rule on behalf of God or gods. Rule by divine right, not public needs. Example: Iran

Democratic GovernmentRule of the people1. Direct Democracy – ALL citizens meet together and make decisions and vote, smaller communities. Example: Ancient Greece2. Representative Democracy – People elect representatives to speak and govern for them. People ruled by elected officials who rule for the public. This type of government is called a Republic. Example: U.S.A. & India

Purposes of GovernmentHelp People Cooperate – Unite, solve,

and cooperate to make safer and easier.Providing Services – provides important

or expensive services such as financial assistance and education. Protection from other countries. Money, roads, libraries.

Providing Laws - Laws guide and protect us and our rights.

Guaranteeing Freedom Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit

of Happiness

Freedoms set up to be protected and not taken away

All citizens must take an active role in protecting and preserving those rights and freedoms.

Notes

Ch. 2 Sec 2

Declaration of Independence1775 – Colonies war with Gr. Britain. July 4th 1776 – Declaration of Independence written and approved by 1st Continental Congress in Philly.Dec. of Ind. Lists reasons for parting: taxation without consent or representation, powerless people.Explains that government is meant to protect basic human rights.

Declaration of Independence (cont)“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that

all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness”

Equal rights under American law.Ideals were difficult but worth “our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”

Articles of ConfederationDeclaration was NOT a plan for a government. Articles were.1781 – All 13 colonies approve Articles of Confederation. Rev. War ends in 1783.Confederation – Loose government of state-centered governments.Americans feared a strong central government, due to their past with a Monarchy.State Sovereignty – Absolute power given to the states.

Weaknesses of ArticlesNational, or central, government had little to no power.Each state had one vote in Congress, regardless of the size of the state.Articles gave states sovereignty, absolute power.No national court to interpret laws or judge those who broke them.No currency to pay back the National debt. Could not pay soldiers from Rev. War.No one to make sure laws passed by Congress were carried out.

Need for ChangeWar left the new country in a mess, and Articles did not give the country the power to clean it up.People thought of themselves as State citizens, not Americans.Took 9 of 13 votes for any law to pass. Hard to do with a divided nation.National debt was not able to be lowered due to no National currency.No executive branch to ensure laws were carried out.No courts to interpret or mediate the laws.

Fixing the ArticlesInternal disputes swept the land, and National government was powerless to end it.

TradeBoundary lines

Domestic troubles made United States look weak to other countries.1787 – Congress asked each state to send a representative to a meeting to discuss fixing the Articles.

Notes

Ch. 2 Sec 3

The ConstitutionThe Constitution

Constitutional Convention

The Articles of Confederation needed a lot of change due to some major weaknesses. Many past documents influenced the new government including the following from England.

Magna Carta - made King John give free men right to trial by jury, and protected Parliament from Monarchs. English Bill of Rights – Right to petition for change of laws, fair punishment, right to bear arms, no taxation without representation. Parliament – bicameral, 2 parts or houses, similar to our 2 part system Representatives And Senate.

Secret Meetings

Constitutional Convention – To avoid outside coercion and pressure, meetings to discuss new government held in secret.James Madison - “Father of the Constitution”

Writing the ConstitutionFederalism – power divided between Federal and State. Federal gets more power, states still govern own concerns.GREAT COMPROMISE – Make 2 parts of Congress, due to fight between small states (Senate) and large states (Representatives).

Constitution Complete

Federal Powers added – coin and print money, raise armed forces, regulate trade among states, set taxes, and foreign trade. Also established a Supreme Court.Sept 17th, 1787 – Constitution Complete. Now needed to be ratified by 9 of 13 states.

Federalist vs. AntifederalistsMajor debates over ratification. Newspapers, pamphlets, and speeches for and against.Federalists – Strong central government was needed to keep country united and strong. Alexander Hamilton, James MadisonAntifederalists –Fed. government defeated purpose of Revolutionary War. Not protect states’ power or people’s freedom. Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams

Constitution is Ratified!

Federalists gain support, but people wanted a list of Rights for the people.The 9th and final state to ratify was Rhode Island. June 1788George Washington sworn in as first U.S. president on April 30th, 1789.