the Enlightenment
new ideas, thoughts and discussion
The Scientific Revolution… questions
The Printing Press
New-age, skeptical philosophers
John Locke
Believed in the social contract, give up some freedom and get safety and security
he wrote Two Treatises On Government
Everyone is born with “unalienable
rights.”
The people, as the source of government’s
authority, can
overthrow an unjust
government.
Thomas Jefferson
he stole ideas from locke and was Anti-Federalists
agreed to support the document after he received promises that a Bill of Rights would be added during the first session of Congress
Dctatirship
one of the most common types of government
a leader, or a group of leaders, who hold governmental powers with few to no limitations on them. like Hitler
Monarchy
type of government where there is a king or queen
Declaration of Independence
to create independence, and to make everyone equal
the year is 1776
Rule of man
What I say goes
Does not have to ask anyone before making a decision
Rule of law
you can't change anything just because you want
totalitarian
a form of government that attempts to assert total control over the lives of its citizens.
Republic
form of government in which a state is ruled by representatives of the citizen body.
Democracy
a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
Articles of Confederation
first "constitution"
1781
Second Continental Congress
ruled the new United States of America from 1776 to 1781
They took the job by default! There wasn’t anyone else there to do it!
Critical Period
the years between the end of the American Revolution in 1783 and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1789
weaknesses of the articles
Congress commanded little respect and no support from state governments anxious to maintain their power
Mt Vernon Conference
Maryland and Virginia
Discuss trade issues
Seemed to be a good idea
Shays’ Rebellion
(1786)
Massachusetts needs some help!
Philadelphia Convention
(May-Sept 1787)
12 of 13 states sent delegates
Supposed to be a discussion of changes to
the Articles of Confederation
First couple of meetings proved that wasn’t
going to happen
Virginia was ready to offer a new plan very
early in the proceedings
How well did the “Articles” work?
One vote per state
No taxation clause
No power to regulate trade
No executive branch
No court system
All 13 required to amend
Super majority required to do ANYTHING
It was a CONFEDERATION!
Annapolis Conference
constructing uniform parameters to regulate trade between states during a time of political turbulence and economic strain.
1786
Virginia Plan
Virginia was ready to offer a new plan very
early in the proceedings
(The Overhaul)
3 Branches
Bicameral Legislature
Almost like a Parliamentary System
Elected, Lower House would pick the Upper House
Congress would choose a National Executive
Much more powerful central government
Frightened some states (smaller)
New Jersey Plan
(The “less invasive” Alternative)
3 Branches
Unicameral Legislature
Equal representation by each state
Plural Executive selected by Congress
Executive appoints Supreme Judiciary
The debate over these two plans almost
ended the entire effort!
The Connecticut Compromise
(aka The Great Compromise)
Combine the two plans
Commerce Compromise and Slave Trade Compromise
Added to keep Southern States satisfied
No export taxes
No direct change in slave trade rules for 20 years
3/5 Compromise
its where slaves would contribute points the another rep.
SIX Principles in the Constitution
popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, federalism, checks and balances, republicanism, and individual rights.
Legislative Branch
made up of the House and Senate, known collectively as the Congress
Preamble
sets the stage for the Constitution
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)
The U.S. Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States, is part of the judicial branch.
Executive Branch
carries out and enforces laws
Ratification Battle
the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America when New Hampshire became the ninth of 13 states to ratify it. (1788)
Federalists vs Anti-Federalists
the creation of a strong national government and rejecting ratification and the Federalists advocating a strong union and adoption of the Constitution.
The new government of the
United States of America
convened on March 4, 1789
The two big issues for Anti-Federalists:
Too much power in central government
No bill of rights
The required NINE states had ratified the
agreement by June 21, 1788
However, without Virginia and New York it
was never going to
work… and everyone
knew it
Bill of Rights
spells out Americans' rights in relation to their government.