Principles in the US Constitution

Government

Individual Rights

The liberties of individuals without interference from others or the government

Limited government

The government is not at all powerful and can only do things the people have given it the power to do

Separation of Powers

There are three distinct and independent branches of government and many actions require the cooperation of 2 or 3 branches

Checks & Balances

Each branch is restrained from the other 2 branches and can stop an action from happening

Example of Individual Rights

Bill of Rights

Example of Limited Government

Checks and balances

Example of Separation of Powers

Passing a Law (Legislative Branch)

Example of Checks and Balances

If the president does not sign it, it does not become a law

Federalism

The division of power among the federal and state governments

Rule of Law

Every person, even the leaders of government, must follow the law

Popular Sovereignty

All political power is ultimately held by the people

Republicanism

People elect Representatives at regular intervals, to make decisions on their behalf

Example of Federalism

Mask mandates (during covid)

Example of Rule of Law

Tax Fraud

Example of Popular Sovereignty

voting

Example of Republicanism

House of Representatives

Three BIG ideas of the Declaration of Independence

1. People Have Rights

2. Government Should Protect Those Rights

3. If The Government Fails To Do This The People Have A Responsibility To Fix It

Four PARTS of the Declaration of Independence

1. Preamble

2. Statement of human rights

3. Long list of grievances

4. Lee Resolution

History Prior to 1776 of the Declaration of Independence

Prior to 1776, there was around 150 years of Salutary neglect(loosely enforcing strict laws) which was how England governed these colonies; they wanted access to raw materials but there was still no trade law enforced so people from Great Britain or England would come and ignore the colonies that were there. However, due to the 7 Years war in the 1750’s, salutary neglect was reversed. This involved all of the powers of Europe and extended to the British fighting the French, whom allied with the native tribes. Taxes had started because of the French and Indian War.The racialization of the colonists also occurred; if you were a colonel in the colonial army you were still considered to be below any British commision The African American emancipation was an informal alliance that African Americans initiated with the British government, they knocked on their doors and offered to help them with winning the war if they were given freedom.

Meaning since the Declaration of Independence

• “All Men are created Equal” becomes a rallying cry for abolitionists after independence was declared

• “Merciless Indian Savages” known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions

• The Declaration is something that meant something different to each person that signed it

Articles of Confederation: Article 1

• Names the nation “The United States of America”

• this emphasized the union of all the states as before people did not enjoy how the old king of the government was

Articles of Confederation; A Firm League of Friendship

Structure: avoid a strong central government, have the legislative Branch called Confederation Congress

Powers:

1. power to coin money

2. power to make treaty with foreign nation

3. power to request money from states

Changes: the common interest held them together which was winning the American Revolution until it was gone

Articles of Confederation: WEAKNESSES

• cant tax

• cant collect money

• cant pay soldiers

• no common currency

• no national court

• no meeting place

• no judicial branch

Articles of Confederation: STRENGTHS

• Northwest ordinance

• removed ability to have slavery

• apply to become a state

• equal rights

• equal representation

Articles of Confederation: The Beginning of the end

Annapolis: where there was a call for a political convention at Mann’s Tavern in Maryland to talk about how we should handle trade between states

Final Analysis: good first step for National government, absence of power doesn’t create a limited government

Federalist & Anti-Federalist Papers: Origins

The name Cato comes from a politician in ancient Rome who killed himself because he didn't want to live in Julius Caesar's new government. Cato had concerns over having one powerful central government and didn't believe that the constitution could guarantee equal and permanent liberty like its proponents claimed. Opponents would have likely called themselves a pro-republicans or small r.the name Anti-Federalist comes from the Federalists to describe their opponents. If it were not for the Anti-Federalists we wouldn't have everything kick off with the Federalist paper. Federalist No.1  was Alexander Hamilton, the new constitution Publius. Publius comes from ancient Rome when they overthrew the monarchy and created the Republic of the people. the total number of opposition essays were 85.

Federalists and Anti-Federalists Papers: Anti- Federalists concerns

Some of the general concerns that the Anti-Federalists had was that it required too many people to agree for a vote, they asked how anything was going to get done, and they said that there were a bunch of factions and that it would all be useless. They also believed that it would be less effective in the efforts to persuade the public because it was not a unified front.

Federalists& Anti- Federalist Papers: Federalists Arguments

Some of the Federalists arguments that were pretty general were that their individuals were able to choose the elected representatives, equal property distribution was allowed, and many scattered views would be taken into account with this side of the ratification of the US Constitution. smoother effective efforts to persuade the public was publishing their persuasive pieces only under the name Publius, as well as they seem to be more prepared than the Anti-Federalists were and had something to back everything up.

Federalists& Anti- Federalist Papers: Anti Federalist Impact

The Anti-Federalists' impact really began with the public publishing of their opposition essays which because of this people or in other words the public could talk and argue which could hurt the Federalists. The Constitution needs the nine states to ratify at least, that means they could choose not to and potentially sever  ties with new nations. Federalists also didn't want to add anything to the bill of rights, Hamilton actually argued against the Bill of Rights and said the restrictions are in the constitution, and Anti-Federalists were able to get their Bill of Rights.

An anarchy is

a state of disorder due to absence of non-recognition of Authority or other controlling systems and an example of this would be the French Revolution

Autocracy is

a form of government in which one ruler has absolute power, control, and decision making. the ruler has power in all matters of this state and all over the country's people. it includes the monarchies and dictatorships and an example of this would be Belanus.

 Confederation is

a union of sovereign groups of states, usually promoting a common interest and an example of this would be the Confederate States of America.

 Direct democracy is

a government where the citizens vote directly on the laws instead of through elected representatives and an example of this would be ancient Athens and Switzerland.

A Monarchy is

a type of government with undivided rule with absolute power provided by a single person and an example of this would be the United Kingdom's House of Windsor / Queen Elizabeth II royal family.

An Oligarchy is

where political power rests with a small group of people, typically distinguished by wealth, military control, or high social status. Oligarchies never included women, foreigners, slaves, or poor men. An example of this could be in the Philippines.

Theocracy is

a form of government where a state is ruled directly by religious leaders, or where the laws are based on religious Doctrine and an example of this would be in Vatican City that is governed by the Pope.

Unitary is

a political system where Ultimate governing power is concentrated within a central national government and may also have subnational units. An example of this would be France.

 In the 15 amendment

voting rights were extended but were marginally granted in practice to all men including black men although poll taxes were used to prevent many of them from voting

 After the 19th Amendment

voting rights were extended throughout the nation after Decades of vocal protests to women although the barriers to prevent non-white women to vote remained in place.

 After the passage of the Voting Rights Act in the 24th Amendment

voting rights were truly and finally extended in practice to Black Americans by Banning poll tax and federally  enforcing elections

 After the passage of the 26th amendment

voting rights were extended to Americans aged 18 and older.

After the pass of the Voting Rights act,

Voting accessibility was extended to Americans who weren't literate in English

Literacy test:

an examination used to assess a person's ability to read, write, and understand information

Poll tax:

a tax levied on every adult, without reference to income or resources.