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Colonial Background and Milestones in Early America

Explore the colonial background of Jamestown and Plymouth, as well as key milestones in the early American era such as the Stamp Act, Revolutionary War, and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Learn about important concepts like natural rights and the social contract. Understand the compromises made during the drafting of the Constitution and the significance of the Bill of Rights. Find useful resources for further study.

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Colonial Background and Milestones in Early America

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  1. Chapter 2 The Constitution

  2. The Colonial Background • Jamestown – representative assembly • Plymouth – social contract with consent of the governed

  3. Selected Milestones in the Colonial/ Early American Era • the Stamp Act • the First Continental Congress • the Second Continental Congress • the Revolutionary War • the Declaration of Independence • the ratification of the Articles of Confederation • Shays’ Rebellion • the Constitutional Convention • the ratification of the U.S. Constitution • the Ratification of the Bill of Rights

  4. Important Concepts in the Declaration of Independence • Natural Rights – the idea that individuals hold certain rights because they are human; governments cannot take away these “inalienable” (can’t be transferred) rights • Locke describes these rights as “life, liberty and property” • Jefferson describes these rights as “life liberty and the pursuit of happiness” • Social contract -- a general agreement between the people and the government, where the people agree to give up some of their liberties, so that the remainder are protected.

  5. The Articles of Confederation

  6. Compromises in the Drafting of the U.S. Constitution • the Great Compromise – resulted in a bicameral legislature, with one house based on equal representation, the other on population. • the Three-Fifths Compromise – resulted in slaves being counted as “3/5” of a person for the purpose of determining population for representation in the U.S. House of Representatives.

  7. Separation of Powers – dividing governmental powers • legislative branch – is granted the power to make laws • judicial branch – is granted the power to judge laws • executive branch – is granted the power to administer laws. some delegates favored a plural executive, but a single chief executive was decided upon.

  8. Separation of Powers

  9. Figure 2-1: Checks and Balances

  10. Ratification of the U.S. Constitution : • was supported by Federalists, who argued in favor of the ratification and supported a strong central government. • was opposed by the Anti-Federalists, who opposed a strong central government and argued for a Bill of Rights

  11. The Bill of Rights • the first 10 amendments to the Constitution • were adopted in 1791 • were designed to protect individuals from a too powerful national government

  12. Figure 2-2: The Formal Constitutional Amending Procedure

  13. Hot Links to Selected Internet Resources: • Book’s Companion Site: http://politicalscience.wadsworth.com/schmidtbrief2004 • Wadsworth’s Political Science Site: http://politicalscience.wadsworth.com • Emory University, School of Law, Constitution of the United States: http://www.law.emory.edu/erd/docs/usconst.html • National Consitution Center: http://www.constitutioncenter.org • Web Guide to the Constitution of the United States: http://tcnbp.tripod.com/webguid.htm

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