American Democracy

1
American Democracy Citizenship

• Our Democratic Foundations

2
Foundations of Democracy

• U.S. has a democratic republic people have the
  power to rule and elect representatives to serve
  in government
• Based on ideas from Greeks and Romans, British
  political system, and philosophers from the
  Enlightenment

3
Declaration of Independence

• July 4, 1776
• Officially separated 13 colonies from English
  government
• Did NOT start the Revolution! (started April
  1775)
• Written by Thomas Jefferson
• Created the U.S.A.

4

• We hold these truths to be self-evident, that
  all men are created equal, that they are endowed
  by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
  that among these are Life, Liberty and the
  pursuit of Happiness.

5
Articles of Confederation

• 1781-1789 - first true U.S. government
• Weak national government / strong state
  governments opposite of Englands
• No President to enforce laws feared he might
  become a king
• One-house Congress with little power
• No way to tax, support a national military, print
  money, or enforce its laws

6
Dissatisfaction with the Confederation

• Each state government had own laws, currency
  little cooperation
• Govt couldnt pay pensions to soldiers as
  promised
• Shays Rebellion western Massachusetts, 1786-87
  debt-ridden farmers rebelled when state took
  farms imprisoned debtors
• Crisis convinced many Americans a better system
  was needed

7
U.S. Constitution

• 1789-present
• Replaced Articles of Confederation
• Written by James Madison
• Three branches of government
• Legislative Makes law (Congress)
• Executive Enforces law (President)
• Judicial Interprets law (Courts)

8
Federalist Anti-Federalist

• Constitution had to be ratified (approved) by 9
  of the 13 states
• Federalists thought central government should be
  strong James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John
  Jay The Federalist Papers
• Anti-Federalists feared power of central
  government took too much power from the states
  Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson

9
Bill of Rights

• Proposed in 1789 to settle debate between
  Federalists and anti-Federalists
• Approved by states in 1791
• First 10 Amendments to the Constitution
• Listed citizens basic rights in the new
  government

10
A Living Document

• Constitution can change through amendments
  (changes or additions) as culture and country
  change
• Slavery, voting rights, civil rights were some of
  the major changes since 1791
• Only 27 Amendments (10 17) requires 2/3 of
  both houses of Congress and ¾ of all states to
  approve
• Courts can interpret Constitution and expand or
  decrease certain powers and rights over time