Transcript Documents

Original Documents of American
Government
Today’s major standard:
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape
the United States and compare them to documents of
government.
•Declaration of Independence
•PA State Constitution
Today’s objectives:
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Analyze the ideas of the Declaration of
Independence
Describe the drafting of the first state
constitutions and common features
Review weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation
Review differences and similarities
between Virginia and New Jersey Plan
Compare the major “compromises” of the
Constitution
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare them
to documents of government.
Explain how Britain’s colonial policies contributed to colonist
self-government
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London was basically in
charge of defense and
foreign affairs for the
colonies as well as money
and trade markets - All other
aspects were left to self rule –
until 1760
King George III became more
firm – more taxes and trade
restrictions
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare them
to documents of government.
Identify Steps that led to the
growing colonial unity
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1643 –New England
Confederation
1754 – Albany Plan
1765 - Stamp Act
Congress - “No taxation
without
representation….”
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare them
to documents of government.
Compare the 1st and 2nd Continental
Congresses.
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First Continental Congress
(1774) – Congress sent a
“Declaration of rights” to King
George III…Decided to boycott
all British goods….
Second Continental Congress
(1775) – Created the
Continental Army…wrote the
Declaration of Independence
and Articles of Confederation
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare them
to documents of government.
The Second Continental Congress
(1775)
The Second Continental Congress was a body of representatives
appointed by the legislatures of thirteen colonies. It met from May
10, 1775, to March 1, 1781. It adopted the Declaration of
Independence and the Articles of Confederation. During the
American Revolution, it acted as the de facto national government
of the United States by raising armies, directing strategy, appointing
diplomats, and making formal treaties.
The Second Continental Congress
(1775)
OLIVE BRANCH PETITION
•In July of 1775 the colonies made a final offer of peace to Britain,
agreeing to be loyal to the British government if it addressed their
grievances (repealed the Coercive Acts, ended the taxation without
representation).
•Rejected by Parliament, which in December 1775 passed the
American Prohibitory Act forbidding all further trade with the
colonies.
Thomas Paine: Common Sense
Thomas Paine: Common Sense
A British citizen, he wrote Common Sense, published
on January 1, 1776, to encourage the colonies to seek
independence. It spoke out against the unfair
treatment of the colonies by the British government
and was instrumental in turning public opinion in
favor of the Revolution.
John Locke, Second Treatise of
Government
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Wrote that all human beings have a right to life,
liberty, and property
Governments exist to protect those rights.
Believed that government was based upon a
"social contract" that existed between a
government and its people. If the government
failed to uphold its end of the contract by
protecting those rights, the people could rebel
and institute a new government.
Declaration of Independence
(1776)
Declaration of Independence
Independence Hall
New
National Symbols
Analyze the ideas of the
Declaration of Independence
D.O.I.: Open letter from
Thomas Jefferson to King
George!
Question to ponder: Who did
TJ want to read this letter?
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare them
to documents of government.
Describe the drafting of the first
state constitutions and common
features
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Starting in January 1776
with New Hampshire the
states adopted
Constitutions laws
setting out principles,
structures and
processes of
Government
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare them
to documents of government.
Describe the drafting of the first
state constitutions and common
features
Common features in all the
Constitutions included:
 Popular Sovereignty
 Limited Government
 Civil Rights and Liberties
 Separation of
Powers/Checks and
balances
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare them
to documents of government.
Articles of Confederation
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The basics:
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“a firm league of
friendship”
All 13 States had to ratify,
or approve, the document.
It took 3 ½ years to get all
13 to ratify.
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United
States and compare them to documents of government.
Articles of Confederation
Structure:
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It only set up a unicameral
Congress
Each state had (1) one
vote in the Congress
regardless of size or
wealth
NO executive or judicial
branch
Powers of Congress
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Make war and peace
Send and receive
ambassadors
Make treaties; build a
navy; raise an army
Settle disputes among the
states;
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United
States and compare them to documents of government.
Articles of Confederation
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Weaknesses
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One vote for each state
regardless of size
Congress powerless to lay
taxes
No national courts to
interpret laws
9/13 majority to pass laws
13 for 13 for any
amendments
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Problems with the Articles –
need for a stronger
government
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Meetings in Mount Vernon
and Annapolis were set to
find better ways to regulate
commerce
Although turnout was poor
some persisted and got the
states to agree to meet at a
convention in Philadelphia –
which became the
Constitutional Convention.
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United
States and compare them to documents of government.
Creating the Constitution – the
writers
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Many had fought in the
Revolution
Were remarkably young
(average age of 42)
Many had attended college in a
nation with few
Two would be President
(Washington and Madison)
39 had been members of the
Continental Congress or
Congress of the Confederation
Worked in secret to protect
against undue influence
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare
them to documents of government.
Creating the Constitution –
Differences in the main plans
Virginia Plan
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Bicameral Legislature
(House of representatives
and Senate)
Representation by
population or contribution to
National Government
Strong National Power
Single executive
(President)
Supreme Court (1 or more)
chosen by Congress
New Jersey Plan
– Unicameral Congress of
the Confederation
– Equal representation for
all states
– States have strong power
– Group of “Presidents”
– Single Supreme Court
chosen by the President
5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare
them to documents of government.
Creating the Constitution –
Similarities in the main plans
3 Branches of Government – Legislative,
Executive, Judicial
Congress retained powers under the Articles of
Confederation
 President chosen by the Congress
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5.1.12.E – Analyze the principles and ideals that shape the United States and compare
them to documents of government.
Compromises
Describe the following compromises of the
Constitutional Convention: Connecticut
(Great) Compromise, Three-Fifths
Compromise, Commerce and Slave Trade
Compromise