The Origins of American Democracy

1
The Origins of American Democracy

• Teaching American History, Lecture 5

2
Introduction The Revolutionary Generation

• One of three great periods of creativity and
  experimentation in national government
• Obsessed with the problem of government, left
  enormous legacy
• But where did they get these ideas?

3
American Precedents

• The Mayflower Compact (1620)
• New England town meetings
• Congregational church polity
• Colonial governments
• The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639)
• William Penns Frame of Government (1682)
• But the impact of these precedents on American
  political thought was minimal

4
The English Origins ofAmerican Democracy

• The Magna Charta (1215)
• Nobles forced concessions from King John
• Guaranteed habeas corpus, due process,
  established Great Council (proto-parliament)
• Bottom line limited arbitrary power of the
  monarch

5
The English Origins ofAmerican Democracy

• The English Civil War (1642-51)
• Charles I attempts to impose religious
  uniformity, rule without Parliament
• Puritan/Parliamentary victory leads to calls for
  religious toleration, Parliamentary supremacy
• Monarchy restored in 1660, but Whig and Tory
  parties emerged in Parliament

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The English Origins of American Democracy Whig
Political Theory

• The Glorious Revolution of 1688-89
• James II deposed, Parliamentary supremacy
  established
• English Bill of Rights
• The English Constitution an ideal government
• John Lockes Two Treatises on Government
• Liberal attack on Robert Filmers idea of organic
  society
• Justification for Glorious Revolution
• Natural rights
• Government by consent (contract) to safeguard
  rights
• Revolt justified if government fails to do its
  part

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The English Origins of American Democracy Whig
Political Theory

• Real Whigs/The Country Party John Trenchard and
  Thomas Gordon
• Power is aggressive, corrupting
• Liberty is passive, needs protecting
• Mixed government alone cannot secure English
  liberties necessity of vigilance
• Especially beware of concentration of wealth,
  social and political corruption
• Ideal rulers virtuous, propertied, disinterested

8
English Whig Theory in an American Context

• American colonials took pride in English
  political traditions, liberties
• Provincial governments patterned on English model
• Whig thought taken for granted, but also took on
  new urgency after 1763
• Would have to sort out problem of divided
  sovereignty
• Did Englishmen enjoy English rights if they
  immigrated to colonies?
• What authority did Parliament have over colonists
  who were not directly represented by it?