1

The Roots of American DemocracyWhat ideas gave birth to the world’s first modern democratic nation?

Chapter 3

2

Reading

Read Section 3.1.

Then respond to these questions:

• What historic events did the two bicentennial celebrations in the United States mark?

• Of what did the bicentennial events remind Americans? Why were these events so powerful?

• What ideas do you think gave birth to the world’s first modern democratic nation?

• NO MORE KINGS!!!

Early Roots

Early Roots

Early Roots

Early Roots

Key Events

• Mayflower Compact – first written framework for self-government in the colonies– IMPACT: Colonists learn to create rules

and governments for themselves

• Virginia House of Burgesses – first elected assembly in the colonies– IMPACT: Elected assemblies spread

through the colonies

Key Events• French and Indian War – After the

war Britain imposed taxes and restrictions on the colonies– IMPACT: Colonists feel Britain is

restricting their rights

• Stamp Act – Britain taxes colonists on paper goods– IMPACT: Colonists feel that taxation

without representation is unjust

Key Events• Lexington and Concord – first armed

conflict between Britain and Colonists– IMPACT: Start of American Revolution

• Declaration of Independence – formal break with Britain– IMPACT: Creates vision for a

government responsible to the people

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• How did state constitutions lay the groundwork for the U.S. Constitution?– Idea that government should be based

on an established set of principles like:• Popular sovereignty • Limited government

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:– No power to tax or control trade– No executive to enforce laws– No court system

• Why?– Fear of a strong central government

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

1. Three major challenges1. Representation – big states vs. little

statesResolved by the Great Compromise which

created a bicameral (two house) legislature

2. SlaveryResolved by counting slaves as 3/5 of a

person for representation and taxation

3. Electing a PresidentResolved by setting up the Electoral College

Electoral College

There are 48 States that have a winner-takes-all rule for the Electoral College. In these States, whichever candidate receives a majority of the vote, or a plurality of the popular vote (less than 50 percent but more than any other candidate) takes all of the State's electoral votes.

Electoral College

4 Times (1824,1876,1888,2000)The winner of the Presidential Election did not win the Popular Vote!John Q. AdamsRutherford HayesBenjamin HarrisonGeorge Bush

2000 Election Details

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• Partner UP!• Read Sections 3.5 and 3.6 and

– List three beliefs of the Federalists– List three beliefs of the Anti-Federalists

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• Federalists– Favored strong

central government– Believed separation

of powers kept government from becoming too strong

– Believed in federalism (power divided between central and regional governments)

• Anti-Federalists– Feared strong

government– Believed states are

better able to represent people

– Feared the Constitution lacked a bill of rights to protect citizens

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• Look up due process. What does it mean?

• Read Sections 4.2 and 4.3 and explain the purpose of each of the main parts of the Constitution.– Preamble– Articles– Amendments

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• Preamble – purpose of the government

• Articles – define the powers of the three branches of governments

• Amendments – list formal changes to the Constitution

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• Enumerated powers are those powers specifically listed in the Constitution.

• Implied powers are those powers that come from the ‘elastic clause’ which allows Congress to make all laws necessary for carrying out its duties.

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• Why does each branch have different powers?

– So no single branch becomes too powerful and each branch is both accountable and responsible for the other branches (checks and balances)

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

• Legislative – make laws, approve treaties

• Executive – enforces laws, negotiates treaties

• Judicial – interprets laws and determines constitutionality

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

Amendments (changes to the Constitution)

1. Proposed by Congress with a 2/3 vote in both houses

2. ¾ of the state legislatures ratify (approve) the amendment

Origins of the U.S. Constitution

Judicial Review means that the Supreme Court hasthe responsibility to determine whether laws are Constitutional!!

Unit 1 Assessment Topics• Nation-state• Legitimacy• Public goods• Monarchy• Dictatorship• Market Economy• Command Economy• Federal system• Popular sovereignty• Marbury v. Madison

• Natural rights• Constitutional issues

and resolutions• Great Compromise• Articles of

Confederation• Due Process• Purpose of the three

parts of the Constitution