Amer. Pol. Thought: The American Revolution & The First Constitution

What event prompted the Resolutions of the Continental Congress on October 19, 1765?

Passage of the Stamp Act by Britain, which imposed taxes on American colonists without their representation in Parliament.

What was the main argument of the Resolutions of the Continental Congress?

The resolutions argued that the colonists were entitled to the same rights as Englishmen, including the right not to be taxed without representation.

How did the Resolutions of the Continental Congress address the Stamp Act?

The resolutions protested the Stamp Act as unconstitutional and called for its repeal, asserting that only colonial assemblies had the right to tax the colonies.

What economic measure did the Resolutions of the Continental Congress endorse?

The resolutions supported non-importation agreements, encouraging a boycott of British goods to protest the Stamp Act.

What did the Resolutions of the Continental Congress assert about colonial governance?

Affirmed that colonial legislatures had the exclusive right to govern their own affairs and rejected Parliament's authority to legislate for the colonies.

How did the Resolutions of the Continental Congress appeal to Britain?

The resolutions appealed to the British government to recognize the unjust nature of the Stamp Act and reconsider their policies toward the colonies.

What was the impact of the Resolutions of the Continental Congress?

Unite the colonies in resistance to British rule, set a precedent for future protests, and played a role in the eventual repeal of the Stamp Act

Colonial Grievances: Navigation Acts (1650s-1700s)

Colonists resented trade restrictions that benefited Britain but limited colonial economic freedom.

Colonial Grievances: Salutary Neglect

Britain largely ignored colonial governance, which led to growing colonial independence in local affairs. The end of this policy would lead to greater tensions.

Colonial Grievances: The Sugar Act (1764)

A tax on sugar and molasses, aimed at raising revenue from the colonies (no taxation w/out representation)

Colonial Grievances: The Townshend Acts (1767)

Taxes on goods like tea, glass, and paper, used to fund British officials in the colonies.

Colonial Grievances: The Tea Act (1773)

Aimed at bailing out the British East India Company by allowing it to sell surplus tea directly to the colonies, bypassing colonial merchants. Led to Boston Tea Party

Colonial Grievances: The Intolerable Acts (1774)

In response to the Boston Tea Party, Britain passed these punitive measures, including closing Boston's port and limiting colonial self-government.

Key Themes in the Evolution of Colonial Grievances

Taxation Without Representation.

Loss of Political/Economic Autonomy.

Economic Control.

Protection of Local Rights.

Shift towards Independence.

Who primarily drafted the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson, with contributions from John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and others.

When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?

July 4, 1776

What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To formally declare the American colonies' independence from Britain and explain the philosophical justification for doing so.

What does the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence explain?

It states the necessity for the colonies to explain their reasons for separating from Britain and introduces the philosophical foundation of natural rights.

What rights does the Declaration of Independence state are "unalienable"?

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

What does the Declaration say about the role of government?

Governments are instituted to secure the natural rights of the people and derive their powers from the consent of the governed.

What does the Declaration assert about the right to revolution?

When a government becomes destructive to the rights of the people, it is their right to alter or abolish it.

What were the main grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence?

Taxation without representation, interference with colonial governance, denial of trial by jury, maintaining a standing army without consent, and refusal to address petitions for redress.

What was the significance of the King's refusal to redress grievances?

It demonstrated that the King was unfit to rule and justified the colonies' decision to seek independence.

What did the Declaration of Independence formally declare about the colonies?

It declared that the colonies are free and independent states, no longer subject to British rule.

What powers do the colonies assert as independent states?

The right to engage in war, form alliances, and do all acts and things that independent states may rightfully do.

WHo signed the declaration?

56 delegates from the thirteen colonies, demonstrating their commitment to independence and their willingness to risk everything for liberty

What philosophical ideas influenced the Declaration of Independence?

Enlightenment ideas, particularly those of John Locke, emphasizing natural rights and the social contract

How does the Declaration of Independence challenge monarchical rule?

Asserts that governments derive their power from the people, not from a divine right of kings, rejecting the legitimacy of monarchical rule

What were the Articles of Confederation?

The Articles of Confederation were the first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781, establishing a confederation of states with a weak central government

What was the main purpose of the Articles of Confederation?

To create a government that united the thirteen states during and after the American Revolution while preserving state sovereignty and limiting the power of a central government.

How was the government structured under the Articles of Confederation?

The government consisted of a unicameral legislature (Congress of the Confederation) with one vote per state, no executive branch, and no national judiciary

What powers did the central government have under the Articles of Confederation?

conduct foreign relations, declare war, make treaties, maintain an army, coin money, and regulate trade with Native American tribes

What powers did the central government lack under the Articles of Confederation?

the power to tax, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws. This made it difficult to fund government operations or maintain order

How many votes did each state have in the Congress of the Confederation?

Each state had 1 vote, regardless of size or population

How were decisions made in the Congress of the Confederation?

Major decisions required the approval of at least nine out of the thirteen states.

How were amendments to the Articles of Confederation made?

Amendments required unanimous approval from all thirteen states, making it very difficult to change the Articles.

What was the significance of the Articles of Confederation in terms of state sovereignty?

The Articles prioritized state sovereignty, giving states significant independence and power, which created challenges for a unified national government.

What were some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The inability to levy taxes, regulate commerce, and raise an army; a lack of an executive to enforce laws; and no national judiciary to resolve disputes between states

Shays' Rebellion (1786)

when Massachusetts farmers protested economic hardships and the government's inability to address them, demonstrated the need for a stronger central government

What did the Articles of Confederation lack in terms of governance?

There was no executive branch to enforce laws and no judiciary to interpret them, leading to a lack of centralized authority and legal consistency.

What was the outcome of the Articles of Confederation?

weaknesses of the Articles led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where the U.S. Constitution was drafted to replace the Articles of Confederation

Who authored Federalist Paper No. 15?

ALexander Hamilton in 1787

What is the primary subject of Federalist Paper No. 15?

The insufficiency of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger central government to preserve the union.

What is the main criticism of the Articles of Confederation in Federalist Paper No. 15?

The Articles are too weak to maintain order, unity, and enforce laws across the states.

What key power does the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation according to Hamilton?

The power to enforce laws and compel states to comply with national policies.

What does Hamilton warn could happen if the Articles of Confederation remain in place?

Disunity, internal conflict, and potential foreign intervention, which could lead to the collapse of the union.

What does Hamilton mean by "a government of laws, not of men" in Federalist Paper No. 15?

The new government would be based on laws that promote the public good, rather than arbitrary decisions or rule by individuals.

What is the conclusion of Federalist Paper No. 15?

Hamilton concludes that adopting the Constitution is essential to preserve the union, ensure national security, and prevent the collapse of the American republic.

What was the Albany Plan of Union?

A proposal to create a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies, first suggested in 1754 by Benjamin Franklin during the Albany Congress.

What did the Albany Plan of Union propose?

It proposed the creation of a central government with a president-general appointed by the British Crown and a Grand Council composed of representatives from each colony.

What were the goals of the Albany Plan of Union?

To promote unity among the colonies for mutual defense, trade, and to manage relations with Native Americans.

Was the Albany Plan of Union approved?

No, it was rejected by the colonial assemblies and the British government.

Why was the Albany Plan of Union rejected?

The colonies were unwilling to give up some of their autonomy, and the British government feared it would create too much power in the colonies.

What is the significance of the British Constitution in the context of the American Revolution?

The British Constitution influenced the early American political system, but American colonists grew increasingly dissatisfied with British constitutional practices, especially the lack of representation and the imposition of taxes.

How did the British Constitution influence the formation of American government?

shaped key ideas in the American system, such as the rule of law, separation of powers, and the importance of a representative government

How did the British Constitution influence the U.S. Constitution?

The U.S. Constitution adopted concepts such as the balance of power, checks and balances, and the concept of a government that serves the people

How democratic was the Constitution in terms of elections and voting?

The extent of direct democracy was limited:

Only the House of Representatives was directly elected.

Senators were elected by state legislatures.

The president was chosen by the Electoral College (not mentioned in the Constitution).

How did the Constitution determine voting rights in congressional elections?

The Constitution left it up to the states to decide who could vote, with the stipulation that voting qualifications could be no more restrictive than those for the lower house of the state legislature

What are three provisions in the Constitution that deal with slavery?

Article 1, Section 9

Article 1, Section 2

Article 4, Section 2

Article 1, Section 9

Prohibited Congress from banning the international slave trade until 1808

Article 1, Section 2

The Three-Fifths Compromise: enslaved people counted as 3/5 of a person for House representation

Article 4, Section 2

Fugitive Slave Clause: enslaved people who escaped to free states remained enslaved

How did the Constitution allow for the continuation of slavery?

The word "slavery" never appears in the Constitution, showing recognition of its moral embarrassment

Article 4 refers to people "held to service and labor" under the law

How did the North view slavery in relation to the Declaration of Independence?

Some Northern states acknowledged the contradiction between slavery and the Declaration's ideals.

They questioned slavery's economic feasibility and hoped it would die out due to its high costs.