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John Locke & The Declaration of Independence
Why did American colonists revolt against England in 1755?
England was charging American colonists large amounts of tax. England fought with America so England thought that they should charge America for the war reparations.
Major causes of the American Revolution (1755-1781)
High taxes on the American Soldiers
Debts incurred by the French and Indian War
British wars and empires growing around the world
Higher costs of british goods caused planter class to go into debt due to goods bought on credit (Mercantilism)
Resistance to payment caused British government to tighten control over colonies, which further angered colonists
Rallying cry of “Taxation without Representation”
John Locke's influence on the American Revolution
John Locke (1632-1704) was an Enlightenment thinker from England. hHeavily influenced American revolutionary thought and provided justification for rebellion.
Lived at a time when monarchy was being challenged in England ( late 1600s)
Believed when they were born with natural rights and they could not be taken away by the king.
Natural rights were bestowed by God.
Locke’s Second Treatise of Government heavily influenced the Declaration of Independence.
God created man with natural rights and freedom self determined.
Man is able to accumulate wealth through his labor and acquisition of private property
The government's primary duty is to preserve and protect private property
The Governments should be limited (clearly spelled out in writing)
Governments exist to serve the people and only exists through the consent of the governed
Locke’s social contract theory
Citizens have to give up some rights for the sake of public order
However government has to respect basic rights and property
This is a social contract ( agreement between people and the government
If the government violates rights, citizens have the right to revolt and replace their government.
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Development of the U.S. Constitution
Articles of Confederation (1781-1789)
After winning the war against Great Britain, the Continental Congress drafted our first constitution, the Articles of Confederation
A confederation is a loose association of states that cooperate on specific issues like military defense.
At this time, the 13 states did not have a strong national identity. Therefore, the national government under the articles was very weak.
Weakness of the AoC
National government could not levy taxes, wage war, regulate commerce, or issue uniform currency among all states.
Relied completely on individual states to contribute taxes and soldiers for the continental army.
No executive or Judicial branch
Any law needed support from 9 out of 13 in order to pass
Any amendment to the Articles required unanimous consent from all states.
By 1787, many are arguing that they are very flawed and they needed reform
One of the main concerns was that the government could not sufficiently fund itself or protect itself from internal not sufficiently fund itself or protect itself from internal or external aggression or threats.
Summer of 1787 -> Delegates met in Philadelphia for a Constitutional convention.
Shay Rebellion
1770’s he fought in the revolution.
He led the rebellion
He decided that he didn't think that the government taking money from the citizens after the whole revolution was to prevent that.
Veterans from the war were issued IOU’s. (US ran out of money)
The Mass Gov raises private army/militia in order to kill the rebellion.
Two plans presented at the convention
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Written by James Madison
Written by William Paterson
States cede a lot of power to the national government.
Very similar to AoC
Bi-Cameral legislature, rep based on state population
Unicameral legislature
Lower house chosen by people, upper house chosen by state legislature
Equal rep regardless of state population
Legislature will choose the chief executive
Multi chief executive chosen by the legislature
Upper house would choose a ‘supreme court”
Compromises at the convention
The Great Compromise (CT compromise)
This compromise addressed the issue of rep in the legislative branch. It created a bicameral legislature with representation in the lower house based on population and equal rep in the upper house, with 2 senators per state.
The Three-Fifths Compromise
This dealt with the issue of how enslaved individuals would be counted for the purpose of determining a state's population and thus its representation in the House of Representatives. It was agreed that each enslaved person would count as three-fifths of a free person for both taxation and representation purposes.
The Electoral College Compromise
The framers of the Constitution were divided on how the president should be elected. The Electoral College was established as a compromise between those who wanted direct popular election and those who preferred election by Congress. Under this system, each state appoints electors who then cast their votes for the president.
Federalist/Anti-Federalist Papers
Brutus 1
National gov has too much power
Lead to tyranny
Supremacy Clause
National law will supersede state law -> so state laws won't matter.
Elastic clause
Congress can make any law
Powers of Congress
Taxation
Raising an army
Fed 10
