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