Origins of American Government

The Historical Context of the Creation of the US Constitution

13 British Colonies

• British traditions of government– ordered, limited and representative

• 3 Important Documents

• Magna Carta-1215•trial by jury•due process•private property

Petition of Right 1628

• Parliament demanded:– right to a lawful

trial– no martial law in

times of peace– no quartering of

soldiers– taxes approved by

Parliament

English Bill of Rights 1688

• no cruel punishment• no excessive bail or fines• right to bear arms• right to petition

Judeo-Christian Influence

• All are equal in the eye’s of God

• An individuals can have a direct connection with God.

Colonial Governments

• Royal Colonies

• Proprietary Colonies

• Charter Colonies

• legislative assemblies• subject to London in theory;

self-governing in practice

the Coming of Independence

• Growing attempts by Parliament to intervene in American affairs– restrictive trade laws– direct taxation

• Growing Colonial Unity/Identity– 1643 New England Confederation– 1754 Franklin’s Albany Plan

• Stamp Act Congress- 1765– 1770 “Boston Massacre”– 1772 Committees of Correspondence– 1773 “Boston Tea Party”

• 1st Continental Congress- 1774– response to the “Intolerable Acts”

• petition• boycott• prepare to arm

2nd Continental Congress1775-1781

• Declaration of Independence• functions as government during the war

– raised army/navy– borrowed money– bought supplies– created a currency– made treaties

• called on states to create state constitutionsstate constitutions

Characteristics of State Characteristics of State ConstitutionsConstitutions

• popular sovereignty- governments are empowered by/with the consent of the governed

• limited government- weak executive power, many restrictions on government action

• civil rights and liberties- governments had to respect “inalienable rights” of individuals

• separation of power and checks and balances- prevented too much power in the hands of any one or few

Characteristics of State Characteristics of State ConstitutionsConstitutions

• generally brief• legislative branch was the most powerful

– terms were short – 1-2 years

• suffrage was limited– adult, white men, property-owners

Massachusetts State Constitution 1780-Massachusetts State Constitution 1780-oldest functioning constitution in the oldest functioning constitution in the worldworld

1st written national constitution

• Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation was approved by the 2nd Continental Congress and ratified by all 13 states by 1781.

• “a firm league of friendship”

textbook, The Critical Periodpages 44-45

• Read carefully and prepare a graphic organizer….

textbook, The Critical Periodpages 44-45

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

How was the government to be structured?

What powers weregiven to

Congress?

What obligationsdid states have?

What were theweaknesses of the

document?

• Revolutionary War ended 1781– huge war-time debt

• more than $60,000,000

– excluded from British trade empire– not recognized by foreign governments– devalued currency

• inflation

– shipping no longer protected by British navy

• Squabbling States

Squabbling States

• states are independent and competitive– militias– currency– foreign treaties– trade barriers– boundary disputes

Shays Rebellion 1786

Calls for Reform

• Mt Vernon meeting encourages Virginia General Assemble to call for a joint meeting of all states to discuss trade.

• Annapolis meeting calls for a meeting in May of 1787 in Philadelphia which will become the Constitutional Constitutional ConventionConvention

Simulation Scenario

• The Administration and School Board have been “overthrown”. No central authority exists.

• Teachers have been stripped of their power of “authority” but are not required to stay.

• All young people under the age of 19 must remain on campus 8 hours a day.

• At age 19, you are no longer allowed on campus.

• All jobs require schooling beyond high school and entrance to such schooling is exceedingly competitive.

Consider the following:

• Are there rights?– How will they be

assured? What are the important values to be protected?

• How will the individual’s voice be heard?

• How will the peace be kept?

• Who will rule?

• Who will mediate conflict?

• Who will carry out the rules?

• What obligations does the individual have?

• Will educational services be provided?– How?

Constitutional Convention

• Your group may send up to 3 delegates.

• Task: Create a document that will serve as the basis for law and that will establish the structure of the new government.– Include:

• Purpose of document; statement of principles• Structure of the government• Distribution of power