Birth of a Nation Causes British debts after the French and Indian War = new taxes Stamp Act Tea Act Many colonists felt their rights as Englishmen were being violated 1 2 The American Revolution After the Boston Tea Party, Britain closed the port of Boston British soldiers and colonists fired on one another at Lexington and Concord starting the Revolution Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington to command the army 3 Founding Fathers 4 Benjamin Rush A physician (doctor) and supporter of the American Revolution. Called the Father of American Medicine Signed the Declaration of Independence Favored educating women and making a public university to train public servants. John Hancock Merchant, statesman, and Patriot of the American Revolution. Most known for large and stylish signature on the United States Declaration of Independence. One of the wealthiest colonists in Boston and used his wealth to support the colonial cause. President of the Second Continental Congress 5 6 1
John Jay President of the 1st Continental Congress Helped negotiate the peace treaty with England ending the American Revolution Supported the Constitution by being one of the authors of the Federalist Papers First Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Governor of New York John Witherspoon Scottish immigrant President of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) Signer of Declaration of Independence 7 8 Charles Carroll Wealthy financier of the Revolution, from Maryland. Catholic and promoted the acceptance of the Catholics in the colonies Served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and signer of Declaration of Independence 9 Jonathan Trumbull Sr. Served as Governor of Connecticut Only colonial governor to offer full support to the colonists. - Supplied Washington s army - Only governor to remain in office throughout the war 10 John Peter Muhlenberg Minister from Pennsylvania The Declaration of Independence Enlisted men into the Continental Army Black Regiment minsters who wore their robes but worked to recruit men into the army Rose to the rank of general 11 12 2
Foundations of a Democratic Nation Republic of Rome Magna Carta 1215 English Bill of Rights 1689 Virginia House of Burgesses Mayflower Compact The Decision Delegates at the Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Britain Thomas Jefferson wrote most of the document 13 14 Theory of Government Issued July 4 th, 1776 - many ideas were borrowed from John Locke Purpose of government should be to protect citizens unalienable rights life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness Citizens had the duty to overthrow an oppressive government that failed to protect rights Declaration listed grievances (complaints) against King George III Articles of Confederation Weak central government; fearing the kind of rule under British Monarch. Experiment in government Did not want to threaten rights of the people Could not levy and collect taxes No national army or navy No national currency Weak central government 15 16 U.S. Constitution Constitutional Convention Philadelphia, 1787 Delegates decided to abandon the Articles and write an entirely new constitution 17 18 3
The Framers Established the basic structure of our national government Wanted to create a national government strong enough to defend the nation s interests and to promote its general welfare Federalist Papers written to encourage ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Ratified in 1791. U.S. Constitution respected and admired by nearly all peoples around the world. 19 20 Principles of the U.S. Constitution Limited Government powers of the federal government limited to those listed in the Constitution Republicanism (republican government) a democratic government of representatives elected by the people Separation of Powers divides the powers of government into 3 branches 21 Legislative Makes the laws Executive Executes the laws Judicial Interprets the laws 22 Popular Sovereignty the people are sovereign they hold all the power. The powers of government come from the consent of the governed Federalism powers of government were divided between the national government and the states Ex. of state control: education, licensing Checks and Balances each branch has ways to stop the other branches ensures no one branch becomes too powerful Amendments the Constitution could be amended to take into account important changes. This makes the Constitution flexible 23 24 4
Bill of Rights The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments to the Constitution Proposed by James Madison Added to protect individual liberties (unalienable rights) Ratification of the Constitution was only obtained when its supporters (Federalists) promised to add a Bill of Rights 25 26 1 st Amendment Freedom of speech, religion and press; right to assemble; right to petition RAPPS 2 nd Amendment Right to bear arms; militia 3 rd Amendment No quartering of troops without home owners permission. 4 th Amendment No unlawful search and seizure without probable cause. 27 28 The Bill of Rights 5th Amendment 5 th A person cannot be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Certain legal procedures must be carried out before a person can be punished. Eminent Domain gives government the right to take private property for public use, but they must give you fair compensation (payment) for the property. Ex. taking your land to build a highway. Double Jeopardy cannot be tried for the same crime twice. A Grand Jury is required to issue an indictment before you can be tried for a serious crime. Self Incrimination you cannot be forced to testify against yourself. The Bill of Rights 6 th Fair and impartial trial Defendants must be told of charges against them Right to a trial by jury Right to be represented by a lawyer 7 th Civil trials Right to trial by jury in any case where damages exceed (or are greater than) $20 8 th No cruel or unusual punishment No high bail Punishment must fit the crime No cruel punishments (e.g. no torture) 6 th, 7 th, & 8 th Amendments 5
9 th Amendment Rights reserved to the people, citizens hold other rights. European view of America 10 th Amendment Powers reserved for the state 31 32 European society was divided into hereditary social classes Nobles enjoyed privileges and land Serfs worked the land Alexis de Tocqueville French political thinker wrote Democracy in America. Analyzed the rising living standards and social conditions of individuals Believed American society was egalitarian because Americans lacked a hereditary social class of nobles. Believed in populism, a political philosophy supporting the rights and power of the people in their struggle against the privileged elite 33 34 Tocqueville Beliefs Liberty value of individuals to have control over their own actions. Egalitarianism having a society of equals; free land created equality Individualism belief in the primary importance of the individual and in the virtues of self reliance and personal independence Laissez faire belief government should not interfere with business practices. Populism philosophy supporting the rights and power of the people against the privileged elite The Civil War Southern states attempted to secede Four year war 1861 1865 North won 35 36 6
Civil War Amendments 13 th abolished slavery 14 th guaranteed all citizens due process rights and equal protection 15 th prohibited denying voting rights based on race 37 7