History of American Government

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History of American Government

• Why we have what we have today.

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In 1776, we continued to have trouble with King
George

• Taxes
• No representation
• Proclamation Line
• Import/Export trouble
• No Freedoms
• Religion, trial by Jury, etc.
• Loyalists vs. Patriots

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1776- We write the Declaration of Independence

• Foundation for what every man is entitled to
• You should require these basics
• List of injuries from the King
• Announces their independence
• Pledge all to obtain this goal

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1781- Articles of Confederation

• Many weaknesses with the A of C
• No Head Executive
• Weak National Government
• No power to tax No army, navy, etc.
• No National Court system
• Each state coined own money
• States had all the power, but no UNITY

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Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

• Why a National Government?? Federalists say
• Lands west of the Appalachian Mtns.
• What to do with this land?? Fed. Govt. will help?
• Shays Rebellion
• Federal Government, send out army to stop it??
• State Tariff wars
• Need a National Govt. to solve all these
  problems., but we dont have one.
• Anti-Federalists say a National Govt. will abuse
  power

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Constitutional Convention

• First met at Annapolis, Md.1786, but only three
  states showed up.
• 1787- met in Philly (for their cheesesteaks) and
  wrote our Constitution
• Separation of Powers Checks/Balances
• Limited head executive
• Federalism
• Bi-camerialism
• Power to Tax, but limited

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Compromises to get the job done.

• 1. Great Comp.
• New Jersey Plan- based on equality
• Virginia Plan- based on population
• Becomes Two Houses- one for each
• 2. Three-Fifths Comp.
• Slaves count for population? Taxes??
• 3. Federal Govt.??
• Leads to the Bill of Rights

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Bill of Rights

• Freedom of
• -speech
• -press
• -assembly
• -religion

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• 2. Right to Bear Arms

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• 3. Freedom from quartering troops

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• 4. No illegal searches seizures
• -must have warrant
• -warrant with probable cause only
• -warrant must be specific

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• 5. Due Process
• -must be indicted by a Grand jury
• -No double jeopardy
• -Dont have to testify against yourself
• -Liberties cannot be taken w/o due process

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• 6. Criminal Proceedings
• -Fair speedy trial
• -Trial by jury
• -Tried in state/district where crime occurred
• -Friendly witnesses
• -right to counsel

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• 7. Civil Trials
• -20.00 or morejury or bench trial
• -Jury trial is final

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• 8. Punishment for Crimes
• -no excessive bail
• -no cruel/unusual punishments

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• 9. Unenumerated Rights
• -more rights than just those that are written
• 10. Powers to the states
• -State powers must be protected