Designing America

1
Designing America

• Early American
• History Review Unit

2
Who invented democracy??

• We associate democracy with the early Greek and
  Roman civilizations, but these earlier
  experiments were relatively temporary.
• Theories were developed by 17th and 18th C.
  European thinkers during the Enlightenment.
• Two documents had a profound impact on the
  relationship between the government and the
  people of England. These would later influence
  the plan for the U.S. government.

3
The Magna Carta-1215

• Limited the power of the king by giving certain
  rights to nobles (later all citizens)
• Protection from cruel and unusual punishment
• Protection of life, liberty and property
• The right to a fair and speedy trial by jury
• Protection from taxation without consent
• Placed the power of government beneath that of
  the written law.

4
The English Bill of Rights-1689

• British royalty agreed to accept this Bill of
  Rights establishing the supremacy of Parliament
  and guaranteeing
• -freedom of speech in Parliament
• -rights to those accused of crimes
• The people would elect representatives to make
  laws and govern. It was divided into a House of
  Lords and a House of Commons.

5
Democracy travels to America

• The Virginia House of Burgesses-1619 The first
  representative legislature in the English
  colonies. Representatives began to enact laws
  and protect rights.
• The Mayflower Compact-1620. Signed by the men on
  the Mayflower, agreeing to form a political body
  that would pass laws for the good of the colony.

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(Fast forward to late 1700s)

• In the 1760s and 1770s, conflict arose between
  Parliament and the colonists when they came to
  believe that their basic rights were being
  denied.
• After a decade of growing tension, the 2nd
  Continental Congress decided to take drastic
  steps . . . .

7
What are unalienable rights?

• Enlightenment thinkers promoted the idea that men
  were born with natural or god-given rights.
• They suggested that the whole purpose of
  government was to insure these individual rights.
• Thomas PaineCommon Sense
• John LockeLife Liberty Property
• Social Contract with Government

8
Declaration of Independence-1776 (primarily
written by Thomas Jefferson)

• Introduction, When in the course of human events
  . . .
• Unalienable rights section provided the
  theoretical basis for revolution.
• List of grievances with King George.
• The formal declaration, pledging their lives,
  their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

9
The Articles of Confederation (written in
1777, adopted in 1781)

• Our first plan of government tried to limit the
  powers of the national government, giving states
  more power.
• Had no executive or judicial branches. Couldnt
  tax, regulate trade or enforce laws.
• Failed to create stability or instill confidence
  in our government.

10
The Constitutional Convention-1787

• Stated purpose of this meeting was to amend the
  Articles of Confederation.
• Support grew for the idea of starting from
  scratch and drawing up a new constitution that
  would give more powers to the federal government.
• Out of much debate and compromise, the U.S.
  Constitution was created, but its adoption would
  require ratification by 9 of the 13 states.

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Principles of U.S. Constitution

• Limited government-Powers of government are
  restricted by the Constitution. (Articles I, II,
  III)
• Republicanism-Voters hold the power and elect
  representatives to exercise that power for them.
  (Preamble, Art. I)
• Checks and Balances-Each branch of government
  exercises some control over the others, sharing
  power among them (I, II, III)

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• Federalism-Power is divided between the national
  and state governments, limiting central power.
  (10th Amendment)
• Separation of Powers-Each branch of government
  has its own responsibilities and limitations.
  (Articles I, II, III)
• Popular Sovereignty-Authority for government
  flows from the people to their representatives.
  (Preamble and 10th Amendment)
• Individual Rights-Unalienable rights guaranteed
  to all citizens. (Preamble and the Bill of Rights)

13
The Federalist Papers- 1787-88

• A series of 85 highly intelligent essays were
  written to explain why the new Constitution
  should be ratified.
• The Federalist Papers helped sway the vote. The
  Constitution was ratified in 1788 and George
  Washington was chosen as our first President,
  largely because of his military leadership in the
  American Revolution.

14
The Bill of Rights (added in 1791)

• The first 10 Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
  (Summarize these.)
• Designed to protect the individual rights of
  American citizens from being taken away by a
  too-powerful federal government.
• Designed to protect the rights of the minority
  from the will of the majority.

15
The Importance of Freedom of Speech and a Free
Press

• Why are these two freedoms essential to the
  survival of a democracy?
• Number 1 reason . . . To allow us to safely
  criticize our elected leaders and our
  governments policies.
• It is believed that, without this freedom, power
  would fall into the hands of powerful individuals
  that dont represent the will of the people.