Foundations of American Government

Limited government

Government that follows the rules, which prevents it from getting too much power.

Individual freedom

Government guarantees freedoms like speech and religion, and protection from unfair laws and punishments.

Rule of law

Laws are written down so everyone, including the government, knows the rules and the consequences.

Representative government

The voice of the people: citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf.

Who proposed, wrote and approved the Declaration of Independence?

Richard Henry Lee proposed independence. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration. Congress voted for independence on July 2, 1776 and approved the Declaration on July 4, 1776.

What is the Declaration of Independence in simple terms?

A “breakup letter” to King George that lists grievances (complaints) about his abuse of power. Similar to Locke’s social contract: government must follow the rules like the people, and rights can’t be separated from people.

Key phrases of the Declaration of Independence

“All men are created equal.” “Unalienable rights” (can’t be taken away). “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” Governments get their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Four parts of the Declaration of Independence

1. Preamble: explanation of purpose. 2. Political ideas based on natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness). 3. Grievances against King George III. 4. Resolution that the colonies ought to be free and independent states.

Grievances against King George III

Quartering large bodies of troops among colonists, imposing taxes without consent, making the military independent of civilian control, cutting off trade, stirring up conflict on the frontier, and destroying the lives of colonists.

Grievance: cutting off trade

Britain controlled colonial trade, so colonists were forced to deal with Britain and couldn’t trade freely with others.

Articles of Confederation (1777)

The first written constitution. It gave most power to the states and had only one branch, Congress. It had no accountability: no executive or courts to enforce anything.

Role of the national government under the Articles

Declare war, negotiate treaties and settle conflicts between states.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

The national government had no authority or executive function to actually do its jobs. It was weak: all bark, no bite.

Nationalists

Americans who believed the nation should govern itself and wanted a stronger national government. Most were wealthy. They said the US would have no respect without an army, courts or policy, and feared Americans’ tendency to challenge authority would get out of control.

American individualism

Not liking authority over themselves and wanting to challenge it.

Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787)

Massachusetts passed a heavy tax to pay off debt, payable only in gold and silver. Farmers already in debt couldn’t pay, so the government seized their possessions. They rebelled, led by Daniel Shays.

Thomas Jefferson’s view of Shays’ Rebellion

A good thing and no big deal: it showed people’s commitment to challenge authority.

Effect of Shays’ Rebellion

It showed something had to be done to strengthen the national government, leading to the convention in Philadelphia.

Constitutional Convention

Held in Philadelphia to discuss problems with the Articles. Delegates were young, educated and wealthy. George Washington was chosen to lead. 7 of 13 states were needed for a quorum. Held in secret with no official records.

James Madison at the Constitutional Convention

Called the Father of the Constitution. He kept a diary of what happened since there were no official records.

Virginia Plan

Large states wanted representation in the new government (based on population). The national legislature would have veto power over state laws.

New Jersey Plan

Small states wanted every state to have an equal vote because they feared big states would take over. Multiple presidents chosen by the legislature. Judicial courts appointed for life.

Connecticut Compromise

Proposed by Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth. An agreement that created the 2-house US Congress: the House is based on population and the Senate gives every state 2 senators.

House of Representatives (lower house)

Representation is based on each state’s population. This pleased the large states.

Senate (upper house)

Every state gets 2 senators. This pleased the small states.

Electoral College

How the president is chosen. Each state gets electoral votes equal to its number of representatives (House seats plus 2 senators).

Supremacy clause

National law is the supreme law of the land. Any law that goes against it is null (voided). States can be stricter but not less strict.

Ratification

Legal approval of a constitution, treaty, etc.

How many states had to ratify the Constitution?

9 of the 13 states.

Ratification timeline

Delaware was 1st. New Hampshire was the 9th, making the Constitution the official law of the land. Rhode Island was the last.

Federalists

Supported a strong national government. Included George Washington, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. The Federalist Papers explained how the government would work.

Anti-Federalists

Argued individual rights and state rights weren’t protected. Included Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. Feared the president would become a king and that government would be under faction (groups pursuing their own interests).

Compromise: Bill of Rights

Federalists promised to add protection for individuals by amendment.

Compromise: federalism

State and national governments each have power, and the national government is supreme.

First capital and start of the new government

New York was chosen as the first capital. The new government started in April 1789. The Bill of Rights was presented in June 1789.

Preamble: six purposes

Form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty.

Article I

Legislative branch: Congress. Covers the House, Senate, elections, procedures, pay and immunities, revenue bills and presidential veto, powers of Congress (Section 8), powers denied to Congress and powers denied to the states.

Article II

Executive branch. The President’s term, election, qualifications, compensation and oath; powers and duties; impeachment.

Article III

Judicial branch. Courts and terms of office, jurisdiction and treason.

Article IV

Relations among states. Full faith and credit, privileges and immunities of citizens, new states and territories, and protection of states by the nation.

Article V

Provisions for amendment (how to formally change the Constitution).

Article VI

Public debts, supremacy of national law and oaths of office.

Article VII

Ratification of the Constitution.

Bill of Rights vs. amendments

Bill of Rights: protection of individual rights. Amendments: formal changes to the Constitution.

How did the framers organize the Constitution?

Three branches first (Articles I–III), then relations among states (IV), amending (V), national supremacy (VI) and ratification (VII).

Which branch got the most expressed powers, and why?

The legislative branch (Congress). Article I is the longest and lists Congress’s powers. The framers distrusted a strong executive after King George, and Congress is closest to the people.

How did the framers intend to distribute power in the federal government?

Across three branches so none has too much, with Congress given the most expressed powers and each branch able to check the others.