American Founding: Politics & Principles

1. Politics of the American Founding Chapter 3

2. BELLRINGER 1/27 Which of the following is argued by James Madison in The Federalist paper number 10? (A) A system of republican representation helps to limit the excesses of factionalism. (B) Small republics are better able to ensure individual liberty than are large republics. (C) The presence of a few large factions helps to protect the rights of minorities. (D) Participatory democracy is the surest way to prevent tyranny. (E) The elimination of the causes of factionalism is the best protection against tyranny.

3. BELLRINGER 1/28 Which of the following principles describes a philosophy of the Federalist Party? (A) Federalists believed in a loose construction of the Constitution. (B) Federalists believed in a strict interpretation of the Const. (C Federalists believed in conservative interpretation of the Const. (D) Federalists believed that Congress should be the main cog of govt. (E) Federalists believed that the interests of the common man should be reflected in govt.

4. BELLRINGER 1/29 All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT (A) dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties (B) fear for the stability of the central government (C) desire to promote trade among the states (D) the need to give the central government the power to levy taxes (E) dissatisfaction with the central government’s ability to provide for national defense

5. In this chapter we will learn about • The battle of colonial powers for control of America • The process of settlement by the English • The break with England and the Revolution • The Articles of Confederation • The Constitutional Convention • The ratification of the Constitution • The role of everyday citizens in the founding

6. The first battles for America • Why did colonial powers fight over America? • The Spanish, English, French, and Native Americans fight over rich resources - - $$$ • Spain loses control of New World because of weakening military, an ailing economy, and decreasing population • England takes control of the New World

7. The English settlers Colonists left England – WHY? • To escape feudalism and for the opportunity to own land • For economic opportunities • To practice religion freely

8. Political participation in the colonies • qualifications for voting • Property • Less restrictive than in England (more people owned land) • Religion • Much more restrictive than property qualifications • Gender • Sometimes female property owners could vote, not officially restricted till after the Revolution

9. Why England believed it was right? Wanted colonists to help pay for the French and Indian War Colonists rejected offers of representation in Parliament Why the colonists believed they were right? Unfair taxation, such as the Sugar and Tea Acts Tyrannical monarch Belief in popular sovereignty Conflict between England and the colonies

10. The Revolution • Tea Party, demonstrations, riots, Sons of Liberty w/ Samuel Adams, Boston Massacre • Sept. 1774, Philadelphia: First Continental Congress • Coercive Acts invalid, stop trade w/ Br., meet again in May ’75 - - but Lexington and Concord happened 1st

11. The Declaration of Independence • Jefferson must make the case why this revolution is just, but others are not - -why aren’t revolutions popular? • Good reasons? • Upset status quo, chain reaction in other cntris • Justify revolution w/o having new govt overthrown, too • Jefferson is influenced by whose belief in natural rights? • What were those rights? • life, liberty, and property • But what about Blacks? • Thomas Paine’s Common Sense • helped colonists understand need for independence

12. The Declaration of Independence • Why does Jefferson say the colonies have the right to revolt? • King George’s violation of social contract • “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”

13. Life after the Revolution • African Americans • Still remained enslaved in the South • Slave trade continued • Native Americans • Continued to lose land • Women • Lost the ability to vote and the previous limited opportunities to participate in politics

14. The Articles of Confederation • As you’re reading, make up discussion questions for tomorrow

15. The Articles of Confederation • Established a “firm league of friendship” • Created a confederacy giving power to the states • Federal government had few powers and limited ability to carry out those powers

16. Provisions in the Articles • A national government with a Congress empowered to make peace, coin money, appoint officers for an army, control the post office, and negotiate with Indian tribes • One vote in the Continental Congress for each state regardless of size • The vote of nine states to pass any measure; amendments had to be unanimous • Delegates selected to the Congress by their respective state legislatures • Because of the fear of a tyrannical ruler, no executive was created and the national government was quite weak

17. Problems with the Articles • No executive to administer the government (no real leader) • No power to tax without states’ consent (difficult to do anything like establish a national army without money) • No authority to regulate commerce (trade between states became chaotic because states were using their own money; continental dollars were worth nothing) • Congress could pass laws but had little power to execute or enforce them

18. The Constitutional Convention • Described as “an assembly of demigods” • Called to revise the Articles of Confederation after concern over Shays’s Rebellion • Meetings held in secret • Created a whole new government • Major debate remained over how much power the federal government should have

19. The Virginia Plan Bicameral legislature Representation in both based on population One house elected by the people; one house elected by state legislatures Single executive chosen by Congress Favored by large states The New Jersey Plan Unicameral legislature Equal representation Representatives elected by state legislatures Multi-person executive Favored by small states Two competing plans

20. The Great Compromise • Bicameral legislature • House of Representatives based on population and chosen by the people • Senate based on equal representation and chosen by the state legislatures • Single executive chosen by the Electoral College • Federal court system

21. Federalists Supported ratification of the Constitution Wanted strong central government Concerned about security and order E.g., Madison, Hamilton, Jay Anti-Federalists Opposed ratification of the Constitution Wanted states to have power over the federal government Corruption best kept in check at the local level E.g., Samuel Adams, Patrick Henry The battle over ratification

22. The Federalist Papers • Written by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay under the pen name Publius • Called for ratification of the Constitution • Published in New York papers to persuade legislators to ratify the Constitution • Among the best known: Federalist Nos. 10, 51, and 78

23. Federalist No. 10 • Madison warned against dangers of factions • The causes of factions cannot be controlled (that infringes on liberty); must control the effects of factions • Effects of factions could best be controlled by a republic

24. Federalist No. 10, cont’d. A republic could best control factions: • Representation would dilute the effects of factions • A large territory would make it difficult for one faction to become a majority • In a large territory, it would be difficult for people who shared common interests to find each other

25. Ratification of the Constitution • Required support of nine of the thirteen state legislatures • Small states were quick to support the Constitution because of the inclusion of the Senate • Eventually all thirteen states ratified it (Rhode Island the last in 1790)

26. The citizens and the founding • Competing elites • Elites weren’t united in their views about a new government • The rise of the “ordinary” citizen • Development of citizenship as we know it today

27. Three elements of citizenship • Citizenship should rest on consent. • There should not be grades or levels of citizenship. • Citizenship should confer equal rights on all citizens.