Early American History:Early American History:1600 to 17911600 to 1791

English Roots of our English Roots of our GovernmentGovernment

Magna Carta: 1215English Bill of Rights: 1689John Locke: Social Contract: 1690

Magna Carta: 1215Magna Carta: 1215It limited English king’s powerIt limited English king’s power

John Locke & Thomas John Locke & Thomas JeffersonJefferson

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of HappinessHappiness

Thirteen ColoniesThirteen Colonies

Mayflower CompactMayflower Compact

Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence

Thomas Paine: Common Thomas Paine: Common SenseSense

American Revolution:American Revolution:

American RevolutionAmerican Revolution1775 to 17811775 to 1781

British tighten control on colonists by taxation

Colonists protest Colonists formed

militias Declaration of

Independence

U.S. (colonists) gain independence

Form a government: Articles of Confederation

Later, formed a better form of government: Constitution

Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation

No presidentNo national court systemNo power to taxNo national armed forces…each state raised

its own troopsEach state had its own currency

James Madison: Father of the James Madison: Father of the ConstitutionConstitution

Constitutional ConventionConstitutional Convention17871787

55 delegates met in Philadelphia: all men and very wealthy

In 3 months they drew up the ConstitutionBalance between states and national govt.Three BranchesChecks and BalancesBill of Rights: rights to people

Constitution of the United Constitution of the United StatesStates

Federalists vs. AntifederalistsFederalists vs. Antifederalists

The Constitution: DebateThe Constitution: Debate

Federalists Wanted a strong

national government Wanted to ratify the

Constitution

Anti-Federalists Were against the

ratification of the Constitution

Complained that it lacked a section that gave the People rights.

Bill of Rights: First Ten Bill of Rights: First Ten AmendmentsAmendments

Bill of RightsBill of Rights

1st amendment: freedom of religion, speech, press, right to assemble and petition

2nd amendment: right to bear arms 3rd amendment: no quartering of soldiers 4th amendment: no unreasonable searches and seizures of persons and

property without probable cause 5th amendment: no double jeopardy, right to remain silent….. 6th amendment: right to a speedy trial 7th amendment: guarantees a jury trial in civil cases 8th amendment: no excessive bails or fines and no cruel and unusual

punishment