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The Origins of Republicanism in the United States: From Antiquity to the Constitution

This lecture explores the inception of republicanism in the United States, tracing its origins from the ancient Greek city-states and the Roman Republic. It examines the experience of self-rule in America, highlighted by the formation of the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Articles of Confederation. The discussion emphasizes the constitutional debates that shaped the U.S. government, including key compromises and the integration of the Bill of Rights. The principles of republicanism, as articulated by figures like James Madison, are also analyzed.

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The Origins of Republicanism in the United States: From Antiquity to the Constitution

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Lecture 3: The American republic and Constitution

  2. Origins of Republicanism in the US Republicanism = Idea that the people (through their representatives) can rule themselves

  3. I. Models from Antiquity • The rise of Greek city-states (800-500 BC) • Athens--small, turbulent, and “democratic” • The Roman Republic • creation of the “Senate”--indirectly representative govt. • large, powerful, lasted 100s of years • as American ideal--politics, art, architecture, legend

  4. Washington in a toga

  5. II. Experience of Self-rule • A history of administering their own affairs for almost 150 years Virginia House of Burgesses

  6. Creation of a Republican national govt • An “experiment” in republican govt--many expected to fail • Americans’ sense of state identity, and fear of centralization • First try: The Articles of Confederation (drafted in 1777)

  7. Article I. The Stile of this Confederacy shall be "The United States of America." • Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence. . .

  8. Features/Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation • No U.S. judiciary to settle disputes between states • No real executive power to carry out or enforce federal (national) laws • 9 of 13 states needed to approve legislation • No power to collect taxes directly • No power to raise an army directly

  9. Shays Rebellion 1786

  10. Another attempt at a federal (national) govt • 1787 States agree to send reps to Philadelphia to amend Articles • Debates and compromises: • Virginia Plan vs New Jersey Plan • Senate and House apportioned differently • Slavery and direct taxation/representation • “the 3/5 compromise” • Federalists vs Anti-federalists • Bill of Rights added

  11. signing the Constitution

  12. Madison and the Principles of the Constitution • 1: Republicanism--not quite democracy “democracy is the most vile form of government... democracies have ever been spectacles of turbulence and contention: have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property” • 2: Federalist Papers 10 & 51 • “ambition to counteract ambition” in checks and balances • “cross-cutting cleavages” of a large republic

  13. Review of U.S. Constitution (1789) • Preamble • “People” not “States” • Article 1 (Article, Section, Clause) • Congress • Sec 2--House of Representatives • Pg 3 • 3/5 rule

  14. Article I, cont’d • Sec 3--Senate • Pg 1 • --representing state, elected by state legislature • Sec 8--Powers of Congress • raise taxes, raise army, regulate commerce among states, necessary and proper • Sec 9--Restraints on Congress • banning slave trade, suspend habeas corpus, create nobility

  15. Review of U.S. Constitution • Article 2--Presidency and electoral college • Article 3--Federal Judiciary • Article 4--Full faith and credit, fugitive slave • Article 5--amendment formulas • Article 6, Pg 2--”Supremacy Clause” • Article 7--Ratification

  16. Bill of Rights • Amend 1--religion and speech • Amend 2--guns • Amend 4--search and seizure • Amend 5--double jeopardy, self-incrim, due process • Amend 6, 7--trial procedure--jury trial, counsel • Amend 8--Cruel and unusual, excessive bail • Amend 9,10--non-specified rights remain with the states and people

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