{Government

Notes – Chapter 2

English colonists brought with them heritage of freedom & principles of govt

Concept of limited govt (dating from Magna Carta 1215) was accepted part of Eng system

Petition of Right (1628) severely limited power of Eng monarch

Colonists believed in limits on ruler’s power & freedoms protected in English Bill of Rights (1688)

Colonists firmly believed in representative govt (modeled after Parliament)

Ideas of 17th cent English philosopher John Locke influenced colonistsI. An English Political

Heritage

Present system of Amer govt evolved largely from colonial governments & their practices

Written plans of govt were key feature of colonial period

Representative assemblies elected by people helped establish tradition of representative govt in America

Division of govt powers among governor, colonial legislatures, & colonial courts helped establish principle of separation of powersII. Government in the

Colonies

Britain regarded Amer colonies largely as source of econ benefits, did allow them limited self-govt

British govt tightened control over colonies following French & Indian Wars

King George III & ministers made colonies help pay for war by levying new taxes

III. The Colonies on Their Own

Harsh British policies & taxes helped unite colonies

Colonists sent petitions to king & also organized committees of correspondence

1st Continental Congress (Philadelphia, 1774) debated what colonies should do regarding relationship w/Britain

2nd Continental Congress (1775) – fighting had begun & Congress acted as central govt to carry on Revolution

IV. Colonial Unity

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense strengthened independence movement

Declaration of Independence drafted in 1776 (by committee headed by Thomas Jefferson)

Declaration set forth principles for new nation Had 3 parts: statement of purpose (including

description of basic human rights); list of specific complaints against King George III; and statement of determination to separate from Britain

By end of 1776, 10 states had adopted written constitutions (based on consent of governed, limited govt, and protection of individual rights)

V. Independence

Nation’s 1st govt included single chamber (unicameral) Congress w/limited powers

Each state had 1 vote in Congress, but govt had no executive branch or court system

VI. Government under the Articles

Congress had to depend on states for money & had no power to collect taxes, regulate trade, or enforce laws

Amending articles required approval of all states

Central govt had no president or executive branch & carried out much of work through cong. Committees

No system of national courts – state courts enforced & interpreted national lawsVII. Weaknesses of the

Articles

Confederation govt established fair policy for developing western land

Signed peace treaty with England

Set up several departments establishing precedent for cabinet departments

VIII. Achievements of the Articles

Following Revolution, disputes broke out among states; government’s debt left soldiers unpaid

Economic depression in 1786 led to Shays’ Rebellion (armed uprising by Mass. Farmers who could not pay debts)

1786 Annapolis Convention accomplished little, but Confederation Congress was persuaded to call convention in Philadelphia to revise ArticlesIX. Need for Stronger

Government

Meetings held in secret, each state would have 1 vote, all decisions by majority vote, quorum of 7 states required for all meetings

Delegates decided to draft new plan of govt instead of revising old

X. The Convention Begins

VA plan proposed strong executive, national judiciary, & strong 2 house (bicameral) legislature – lower house would be chosen by people, upper house chosen by lower house. This plan favored by large, more populous states.

NJ plan – weak executive of more than 1 person elected by Congress, national judiciary w/limited powers, 1 house (unicameral) legislature – 1 vote per state. This plan favored by smaller states.

Connecticut Compromise – legislative branch w/2 parts (House of Representatives with state representation based on population and Senate with 2 members/state). Gave larger states advantage in House & protected smaller in Senate.

XI. Decisions & Compromises

3/5ths Compromise – counted 3/5ths of enslaved Africans in determining state’s representation in House of Reps

Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise – allowed slave trade until 1808. Congress forbidden to tax exports & granted power to regulate both interstate commerce & trade w/other nations

Founders compromised on issue of slavery & simply ignored it for the most part in Constitution

Delegates agreed to other compromises – including 4 year term for president & Electoral CollegeXI. Decisions &

Compromises

Supporters & opponents of Constitution began great debate

Federalists – urged ratification – strong national govt needed to solve nation’s problems & deal w/foreign countries

Anti-Federalists – opposed ratification – Constitution drafted in secret, took important rights from states, & lacked Bill of Rights

Federalists proposed adding Bill of Rights, and small states learned more about Connecticut Compromise – battle over ratification ended

New national govt launched in 1789 – Congress met for 1st time in NYC. Soon after Washington took oath of office of President

XII. Ratifying the Constitution