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Origins of American Government. Chapter Two. What are some reasons that American colonists wanted independence from Great Britain?. Our Political Beginnings Section One. In the 1600s, colonists came to America to escape an oppressive government.
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Origins of American Government Chapter Two
What are some reasons that American colonists wanted independence from Great Britain?
In the 1600s, colonists came to America to escape an oppressive government. • They brought with them to North America knowledge of the English political system, including three key ideas about government: • ordered government: help people get along • limited government :powers are restricted • representative government: serves the people
Great Britain heavily taxed its colonies in the mid 1700s. • The colonists were given no representation in the British Parliament which made laws the colonists were obligated to follow, and forced colonists to pay taxes. • The colonists objected Britain’s "taxation without representation."
Political cartoon by Benjamin Franklin. What do you think the purpose of this cartoon was?
Twelve of the thirteen colonies joined at the First Continental Congress in 1774 to plan opposition to harsh British policies and punishment of colonists who resisted. • One form of opposition was to boycott, or refuse to buy, British goods. The colonists tried to force the British to repeal taxes by boycotting goods. Finally, the colonists were ready to fight. • The American Revolution began on April 19, 1775.
On May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress began. • The Second Continental Congress wrote the Declaration of Independence. • The Declaration of Independence stated the exact causes the Americans wanted to cut ties with Great Britain.
Declaration of Independence Turn to page 40 in your textbook.
The 1780s were problem-filled years for the United States. Although the States wanted a permanent government, they did not want to give it much power. • The 13 States ratified the Articles of Confederation in 1781, setting up a loose union of the states. • They also created a central government that had little power. This government consisted of only one branch, the Congress, which was unicameral. Each State had one vote.
Each year, Congress was to choose one of its members as its presiding officer, or chairperson. • The National Government had no power to make the States obey the Articles or the laws passed by the legislature. • The States had the power to tax and printed their own money. When a rebellion broke out in Massachusetts, many leaders were convinced that Americans had to strengthen the government.
Their success led them to call a meeting at Annapolis, Maryland, to try to solve some of the nation's problems. Only 5 states sent delegates. • They set up another meeting to revise the Articles, but decided to write a new Constitution.
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation • Look at the chart on p. 45 of your textbook that shows the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. • For each one, explain: • What problems it would create (why is it a weakness) • How it could be fixed.
One vote per state, regardless of size: • Problem—larger states not fairly represented • Solution—Give votes based on size of state • Congress cannot collect taxes: • Problem—Congress has no way to get money • Solution—require states to pay certain amount of taxes each year. • Congress cannot regulate foreign/interstate trade: • Problem—states could get into disputes with one another or other countries • Solution—Do not allow states to enter into agreements with other countries • No executive to enforce acts of Congress: • Problem—States do not have to obey laws passed by Congress • Solution—create an executive branch to enforce laws
No national court system: • Problem—No one to settle disputes between states or interpret laws • Solution—create a national court system • Articles could only be amended if all states agreed: • Problem—difficult or impossible to pass amendments; • Solution—require less than all states but more than simple majority (9/13) • 9/13 majority needed to pass any law: • Problem—difficult to pass basic laws for country; • Solution—require simple majority for laws (7/13) • Articles only a firm league of friendship: • Problem—states had no real commitment to the nation or each other • Solution—require states to pledge their allegiance and commitment to the nation as a whole.
The Constitutional Convention began in 1787 in Philadelphia. • Later known as the Framers, delegates had decided to write a new constitution instead of amending the Articles of Confederation. • The delegates from Virginia were the first to offer a plan. • The Virginia Plan called for three branches of government: an executive, a bicameral legislature, and courts. The number of representatives a State sent to the legislature was linked to its wealth and population. • Small States opposed this plan.
The New Jersey Plan proposed a unicameral legislature with an equal number of representatives from each State. • Large states opposed this plan. • The Framers knew that for the new government to work, a compromise was necessary. • The Connecticut Compromise, also called The Great Compromise, combined the VA and NJ Plans and called for two houses in Congress.
In the Senate, the States would have equal representation (2 per state). • In the House, each State would be represented based on its population. • Debate soon arose over whether slave states should be allowed to count slaves as part of their population. Another compromise was needed.
The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed states to count 3/5 of their slaves as part of their populations. • This allowed the slave states to increase their representation in the House. • The Framers made many other compromises along the way. The Constitution was completed on September 17, 1787.
Before the Constitution could take effect, at least nine of the 13 States had to ratify it.Americans were greatly divided in their opinions about the Constitution. • Two groups formed during the ratification process: Federalists and Anti-Federalists • the Federalistsfavored ratifying the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists strongly opposed it.
The Federalists stressed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. Anti-Federalists attacked almost every part of the Constitution. • Strongest Criticisms of Anti-Federalists: • increased powers of the central government (2) the lack of a bill of rights • Anti-Federalists argued that a bill of rights was needed to protect individual liberties.
After eleven States had ratified the Constitution in 1788, the States held elections for a new President.Originally, the Constitution required members of the Electoral College to cast two votes for president. The candidate with the most would become president. The candidate with the second most would become vice president. • George Washington received a vote from every elector, making him the only president in American history to be unanimously elected President.
With a group of no more than 4… • Cut out the causes and effects. • Match up the cause with the correct effect • Determine which category it belongs to • Glue the slips of paper in the correct place.
