BEGINNINGS: Political essentials and foundational ideas
1689 LOCKE S SECOND TREATISE ON GOVERNMENT: Natural Rights: Life, Liberty & Property which existed before government Legitimate government depends on ***Consent of the Governed/Popular Sovereignty:*** People must agree on who their rulers are ***Limited Government*** : Clear restrictions on government power e.g. Constitutional limitations
LIFE UNDER BRITISH RULE INHERENT LIBERTIES AS BRITISH CITIZENS I. A fair trial before an independent judge II. Property rights III. Free trade without undue government interference IV. The right to not pay taxes to the British government since colonists weren t represented in parliament
Why did it start to go bad? -English Constitution (There wasn t one really ) Collection of laws, charters and tradition that was thought to protect the liberties of British subjects. Small violations of liberties by the British government snowballed (You can t get a little bit pregnant)
Political Corruption Many colonists viewed English politicians as corrupt. This self-interest and greed led to abuse of power.
NEW GOVERNMENT FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES ***LIMITED GOVERNMENT*** See above ***RULE OF LAW*** -The state is governed by law, not the arbitrary decisions of individuals-not matter how benevolent the intention. ***FEDERALISM*** -Government power is divided between states and the central government to safeguard against tyranny.
***SEPERATION OF POWERS/CHECKS & BALANCES -The three branches are all given specific powers that can be reigned-in by the other branches; this includes the popular will. ***LEGISLATIVE SUPREMACY*** -The direct representatives of the people shall be the dominant branch.
Articles of Confederation America s first constitution 1781-1789 ***CONFEDERATION: System where government power is shared by states united by a common cause. ***UNITARY SYSTEM: System where government power is concentrated at the national level. The framers feared the concentration of government power after their experience with Britain. A confederation allows for local government, reflecting local ways of life and focusing on local issues. WHY DID IT FAIL?
Why the Articles of Confederation failed I. The United States did not have a common currency. Hampered interstate trade Congress and the states often printed money in order to resolve debts = INFLATION
II. NO REVENUE (TAX) POWER Congress could not force the states nor individuals to pay tax Result: U.S. was unable to pay its debts
III. NO NATIONAL UNITY States acted as individual countries and seldom agreed. Example: - Connecticut and Virginia almost went to war over land claims!
IV. Courts (Judicial Branch) The nation lacked a national court system, only state courts. -No standard of justice -No way to settle grievances between states
V. Lack of an Executive Branch The nation did not have a Chief Executive, only a president elected by Congress. -No leadership John Hanson 1 ST POTUS? -No one to EXECUTE laws
VI. Congress (Legislative Branch) Congress had one house. (unicameral) Passage of new laws needed a supermajority (9 of 13 states). Amendments required a unanimous vote Congress had no power to regulate interstate trade, coin money, or to establish a military.
MODELS OF REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY I. PARTICIPATORY: citizens have the power to decide directly on policy and politicians are responsible for implementing those policy decisions. II. PLURALIST: Groups compete with each other for control over government III. ELITIST: A small number of wealthy and welleducated people control the reigns of government
Constitutional Convention Shays Rebellion illustrates that the national government is unable to handle a crisis-the Articles of Confederation need serious revision PHILADELPHIA 1787 55 delegates from 12 states meet to revise the Articles of Confederation Wealthy, white males Average age is 42, 2/3 lawyers, 1/3 owned slaves Had political experience, from cities. No John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Sam Adams, John Hancock, or Patrick Henry! Father of the Constitution James Madison of Virginia Spoke over 200 times
1787 CONVENTION MAJOR ISSUES The discussions revolved around several key issues, the most critical of which were: How should states be represented in congress? How many executives (presidents) should we have? Should slavery be abolished? How directly democratic will we be?
ISSUE VIRGINIA PLAN NEW JERSEY PLAN SOURCE OF LEGISLATIVE POWER LEGISLATIVE STRUCTURE EXECUTIVE JUDICIARY STATE LAWS RATIFICATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS Popular election/based upon state population Bicameral Elected and removed by congress Life Tenure/Able to veto in Council of Revision Legislature can override By the people Reps selected by states One rep per state Unicameral More than one person; removable by majority No power over states Government can compel obedience to federal law By the states
Constitutional Compromise Connecticut Compromise Divided congress into two houses (bicameral legislature) House of Reps based on state population (Big States Happy) Senate has two representatives per state (Small States Happy) One executive, popularly elected
Slavery Slavery The Declaration of Independence begins to change people s attitudes towards slavery-many want it abolished. South Carolina and Georgia threaten to leave the Union. Madison comes up with a solution 3/5 Compromise 3/5 of slaves were counted, for representation purposes Congress could outlaw the slave trade after 1808
Anti-Federalists Opposed ratifying the new Constitution MAJOR CONCERNS 1. Federal government would be distant from the people 2. Congress revenue and borrowing power are too broad (Necessary & Proper Clause) 3. No Bill of Rights existed to restrain government power 4. A standing army was dangerous to liberty 5. The federal courts would continually overrule state courts George Mason Patrick Henry Sam Adams
Supported ratifying the Constitution: Federalists 1. It corrected the failings of the A of C. 2. Without a strong, central government uniting the states, the country would break apart. 3. Believed no bill of rights was necessary-enough structural check & balances existed to prevent tyranny. Washington Madison Hamilton