Law + Gov: Foundations of American Government (Pt.1)

Origins of Government

Civic Republican Virtue

Citizens put the common good over personal interests

Civil Discourse

Respectful discussion of different opinions.

Liberty vs. Order

Individual freedom from external control vs. rule of law and societal structure needed for safety.

Government

Organizes society and protects rights.

Historical theories of the state

Ideas about how government began and gained power

Politics

How people make decisions about government and power

Ancient Greece and Rome

Ideas of democracy, citizenship, and republican government.

Magna Carta

King’s power limited and certain rights are protected

Machiavelli

Government may need strong leaders to maintain order

Petition of Right

King’s power to tax and imprison is limited.

English Bill of Rights

Royal power limited and protected individual rights.

Social Contract Theory

People give government power in exchange for protection

John Locke

Natural rights: life, liberty, and property.

Thomas Hobbes

Strong government needed to maintain order.

Montesquieu

Supported separation of powers.

Rousseau

Government should reflect the will of the people.

British Tyranny

Taxation without representation and limits on colonial freedom

Continental Congress

Colonies worked together to respond to Britain.

Declaration of Independence

Declared independence and listed complaints against Britain.

Articles of Confederation

First U.S. government to unify the 13 colonies, but created a weak national government.

Overview of the Articles of Confederation

Weak national government

Overview of the Constitution

Stronger national government

Representation of the Articles of Confederation

Each state had one vote.

Representation of the Constitution

Based on population + equal Senate representation.

Executive of the Articles of Confederation

No executive branch

Executive of the Constitution

President

Judicial of the Articles of Confederation

No national court system

Judicial of the Constitution

Federal court system

Taxation of the Articles of Confederation

Could not directly tax

Taxation of the Constitution

Congress could tax

Currency of the Articles of Confederation

States issued money

Currency of the Constitution

Federal government controls currency

Defense of the Articles of Confederation

Weak ability to raise an army and regulate trade between states

Overview of the Constitution

Federal government can provide national defense

Shay’s Rebellion background

Farmers protested taxes and debt.

Shay’s Rebellion significance

Showed that the Articles of confederation was weak

Washington vs. Jefferson’s responses to Shay’s Rebellion

Washington: Saw it as a threat to the government. Jefferson: Viewed the rebellion more sympathetically