U. S. Government

Mrs. K. Tucker

Test 1 Unit 1Foundations of American Government

Chapter 1 Principles of Government

Chapter 2 Origins of American Government

Chapter 1Principles of Government

Section 1 Government and the State

Section2 Forms of Government Section 3 Basic Concepts of

Democracy

Section 1Government and the State Government

institutions that make and enforce public policies

Types of powers Legislative – makes laws

Executive – enforces laws

Judicial – interpret laws and settle disputes

ConstitutionPowers outlined and defined in single written or series of documents

WHO has the power of government? Distribution of power

Dictatorship ---------------------- Democracy

Why do we have government?

Prevent anarchy Protect life Protect property Protect rights

How to Define a State in government

The State Population Territory – defined by recognized

boundaries Sovereignty – supreme rule within

own boundaries Government – institution which

makes and enforces public policy

Major Political Ideas 0f How Governments Develop

Force Theory A person or small group force submission to rule

Evolutionary Theory Natural extension of family rule

Divine Right Theory God given right to rule by birth

Social Contract Theory People agree to rule of law for safety and

protection

The Purpose of Government

Preamble of the U.S. Constitution

Form a more perfect union Establish justice Insure Domestic Tranquility Provide for the Common Defense Promote the General Welfare Secure the Blessings of Liberty

Section 2 Forms of Government Classifying Governments

Who Can Participate Geographic Distribution of Power Relationship Between Legislative and

Executive

Who Can Participate Democracy

Supreme authority rests with the people

May be direct or indirect or representative

Determined by elections

Referred to as a republic

Dictatorship Autocracy – one

person holds unlimited political power

Oligarchy – power is held by a small group

Power is absolute and complete

Relationship Between Legislature and Executive Presidential

Executive is separate from and equal to legislature

Parliamentary Executive is a part

of and answerable to the legislature

Usually called a prime minister

Geographic Distribution of Power

Unitary powers of government belong to a single, centralized agency local governments have only powers given to them by the central government

Federal division of power between central government and several regional governments each level of government has its own powers directly acting on the people

Confederation an alliance of independence states central government only has powers given to it by the member states few, if any, powers that directly affect the individual

Section 3Basic Concepts of Democracy Foundations

Free Enterprise

Technology

Foundations Worth of Individual Equality of All Majority Rule and Minority Rights Necessity of Compromise Individual Freedom

Minority Rights Democracy states that the

people will be right more often than they will be wrong

Not every time Not always the best choice Wrongs can be corrected Those in the minority who believe

wrong has been done have the right to work to correct that wrong

FREEDOM of SPEECH and PRESS

Compromise Democracy based on majority rule

but few questions have only two sides

Free Enterprise System Private Ownership of Goods and

Means of Production Prices determined by supply and

demand Duty to promote general welfare

requires regulation by government – mixed economy

Democracy and Technology Printing Press Radio Television Internet

No Guarantee of Validity of Information

Chapter 2Origins of American Government

Section 1 Our Political Beginnings Section 2 The Coming of

Independence Section 3 The Critical Period Section 4 Creating the Constitution Section 5 Ratifying the Constitution

Section 1Our Political Beginnings What we want from government Where those beliefs come from -

English Government Colonial Governments

Basic Concepts of Government Ordered Government - regulation of

relationships among people Sheriff, coroner, justice of the peace,

counties

Limited Government – government is NOT all powerful

Representative Government – people have a voice in the government

Landmark English DocumentsThe Magna Carta

Barons upset with King John’s high taxes and arbitrary actions

Include basic rights such as trial by jury and due process

The Petition of Right – Brought by Parliament against Charles IEnsures that monarch must obey the law

The English Bill of RightsSigned by William and Mary in return for the crownExtends and guarantees rights of English citizens

The English Colonies Established by Charter Bicameral Legislatures Separate Branches of Government Self-governing

Section 2The Coming of Independence British Colonial Policies –

Limiting rights colonists and powers of colonial legislatures lead to

Growing Colonial Unity – Such as New England Confederation, the Albany

Plan of Union, and the Continental Congresses, whose appeals were ignored by England leading to

Declaration of Independence And the formation of new state governments and

the adoption of The Articles of Confederation

Section 3The Critical Period under the Articles of Confederation

Structure Powers Weaknesses

Weaknesses Show a Need for a Stronger Government Mount Vernon

Annapolis Convention

Constitutional Convention

Section 4Creating the Constitution The Framers Organization and Procedure Major Plans Compromises Ratification

Framers 55 men 39 had been part of Continental

Congresses or Congress under the Confederation

31 had attended college Average age was 42 Many leaders of revolutionary period

refused to attend, not selected, or on government business in Europe

Organization and Procedure George Washington unanimously elected

President of Convention Each state would have one vote Majority would be needed to conduct

business SECRECY

Protect from calls of treason Protect all opinions from outside pressure Results in limited record

James Madison

Major Plans Virginia Plan States

represented by population

New Jersey Plan States

represented equally

“The Bundle of Compromises” Connecticut Compromise – Bicameral

legislature Three-fifths Compromise – slave

population would be partially counted The Commerce & Slave Trade

Compromise – Slave trade issue would not be addressed for 20 years

The Convention Completes Its Work September 17, 1789 – 39 members

sign document Not perfect

Section 5 Ratifying the Constitution

Federalists v. Anti-federalists

Nine States needed for Ratification Delaware first State, New

Hampshire 9th, but Virginia and New York, the two most populous and wealthiest States still not a part of new government

Virginia James Madison makes strong

arguments at State convention George Washington, president of

the convention, supports document

James Madison able to persuade Thomas Jefferson to support document even though he fears a strong central government

New York Anti-federalists make strong

arguments

James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay write The Federalist – 85 essays explaining and in support of the Constitution

The Bill of Rights 1st 10 Amendments to Constitution

12 originally proposed Guarantee individuals protections

from the acts of Government Freedom of religion, press, speech Protection for rights of the accused

Inaugurating the New Government September 13, 1788 – Congress of

the Confederation calls for elections under the new government

New York city chosen as temporary capital

Congress meets in March of 1789 George Washington elected

president and takes office April 30. 1789

Review One of the main features of the STATE is a

government Governments are formed to protect

people Basic goals of U.S. government found in Preamble

Governments are formed according to distribution of power

Democracies have 5 basic principles related to the individual

U.S. Government developed over time English Documents Colonial Governments Articles of Confederation U.S. Constitution

Strengthening the Central Government

Articles of Confederation Loose Confederation of

independent States 1 vote in Congress for

each state 2/3 vote (9 states)

needed in Congress for all important measures

Constitution A firm union of the

people 2 votes for each

state in Senate; House by population

Simple majority vote subject to Presidential veto

Laws executed by committee in Congress

No power over commerce

No power to levy taxes No federal courts

Unanimity of states needed for amendments

No authority directly over people

No power to coerce states

Laws executed by powers of president

Congress may regulate interstate & foreign trade

Power to tax Federal court system

led by Supreme Court Easier amendment

process May enforce laws over

individuals Some power over

states