In this REGENTS REVIEW session we will go over:

EVOLUTION OF U.S. GOVERNMENTSTRUCTURE OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENTCONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLES

EVOLUTION OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT

a form of democracy in

which citizens allow others — usually elected officials — to represent them in government processes

a form of democracy in

which citizens allow others — usually elected officials — to represent them in government processes

REPRESENTATIVE

How did the U.S.

become a

representative

democracy?

WHOA! Don’t you also want self-

government?

WHOA! Don’t you also want self-

government?

Self-government is a government

under the control and direction of

the inhabitants of a political unit rather than by an outside

authority.

Self-government is a government

under the control and direction of

the inhabitants of a political unit rather than by an outside

authority.

STEP 1: A colony is a group a people who move to a distant land and are ruled by the government of their native land.

Self-government Representative

DemocracyX?

We want representative democracy and

self-government!

We want representative democracy and

self-government!

We know about the Magna

Carta!

We know about the Magna

Carta!

John Locke says use reason! I’ll

give you a reason…

John Locke says use reason! I’ll

give you a reason…

The House of Burgesses and the Meeting House marked the beginning of representative democracy in the English colonies.

What should we do about our savage

neighbors?

What should we do about our savage

neighbors?

I’m your neighbor

?

I’m your neighbor

?

VERSION OF THE NEXT 150 YEARS

English settlers in all of the 13 colonies came to develop an independent spirit and a tradition of self-government.

Competition for land led to a conflict btwn England and France (French and Indian War). Results in an end to French power in N. America.

After the war, Britain angered colonists by taxing them w/out giving them representation in Parliament.

Protests grew stronger. British troops stationed in the colonies eventually clashed with American colonists. American Revolution begins.

Meanwhile, a group of mostly old white guys (Continental Congress) met to discuss the possibility of declaring independence.

So guys are we doing this thing

or what?

So guys are we doing this thing

or what?

Sir, isn’t it common sense?

Sir, isn’t it common sense?

My point is simpleUse your brainIt’s “Common Sense”Wrote Thomas Paine

Common Sense by Thomas Paine:

A Greg Original:

EFFECTS: major influence on the Continental Congress’s decision to declare independence.

The D of I Wrote Thomas J Goodbye Great Britain Hello U.S.A.

Another Greg Original:

EFFECTS: the colonies became states = self-government

Now that the colonies were no longer apart of the British government, the newly created American states needed to quickly put into place a new government.

Ahhhh! Who’s in charge? This is complete anarchy!

What should the new government look like? How should it be structured?

How can the states create a government that:

1) Unites the 13 states 2) Prevents tyranny – government leaders

from abusing their power ffffAHHHHHHHHH!

WHAT DO WE DO!!

Each state will have its own mini-government with a governor elected by the citizens of that state.

13 STATE GOVERNMENTS AND 1 NATIONAL/CENTRAL/FEDERAL GOVT.

CONGRESSDon’t have a lot of power though – fearful of TYRANNY

Each state will send representatives to a Confederation Congress. Each state will have one vote in Congress

I have an idea! I have an idea!

And we will call this first American Constitution The Articles of

Confederation

And we will call this first American Constitution The Articles of

Confederation

Article: a particular section in a written document, such as contract, constitution or treaty.

Confederation: a loose union of independent states

Shay’s Rebellion

=

Central Govt. too weak to handle national problems

Ugghhh! Let’s just start over!

Ugghhh! Let’s just start over!

In May 1787, Congress decided to throw away the Articles of Confederation entirely and draft a new Constitution

So in 1787 from May to September, 55 people from 12 states met to discuss and create a new Constitution. This meeting became known as the Constitutional Convention

Let’s do this thing!

Let’s do this thing!

Chill – This takes time.Chill – This takes time.

Everyone agreed in order to prevent TYRANNY (abuse of power)

Constitutional Principle #1: Popular Sovereignty

The PEOPLE rule or hold the final authority in government – not some old dude wearing a robe and jewels

Constitutional Principle # 2: Limited Government

Not only do the PEOPLE grant the government the powers it needs to achieve its goals, the PEOPLE also limit the power of the government by spelling out with the government may not do.

Most important limits on government = Bill of Rights

Constitutional Principle #3: Separation of Powers

Separate or divide govt. power between 3 branches each with their own responsibilities

Legislature (make the laws)

Executive (carry out the laws)

Judicial (interprets laws)

Differences quickly emerged (grew) over…

1) How to balance the power between national and state governments.

2) How many representatives per state will serve in the

legislative branch? How to balance the power between large and small states.

How can we balance the power between large and small states?

James Madison’s – The Virginia Plan

Legislative branch would consist of 2 chambers/houses (bicameral - (Latin bi, two + camera, chamber))

The # of people from each state in both houses or chambers would depend on the population of the state (large population = more delegates)

Advisory # of students # of representativesAmy’s Advisory (Virginia) 40 students 4 representativesRana’s Advisory (Rhode Island) 10 students 1 representativeJerry’s Advisory (Maryland) 10 students 1 representativeRayna’s Advisory (Connecticut) 10 students 1 representative

If 11th grade student government was set-up according to the Virginia Plan:

IS THIS FAIR?

The Great Compromise:

Senators and members of the House of Representatives had term limits. Members from both groups can only represent their state for a short period of time before they would have to run for office again.

Constitutional Principle #4: Checks and Balances

According to this principle, each branch of the federal government has some way to check, control, the other two branches.

Example: Passing A Law (Bill)

Congress or the Legislative Branch passes the law

The President or Executive Branch can check the power of Congress by vetoing, or rejecting the bill.

The Supreme Court checks the power of Congress by reviewing laws. If a law violates the Constitution, the Court can declare the law unconstitutional.

Constitutional Principle #5: Federalism

According to this principle, power is divided equally between the states and the national government.

Ratifying (approving) the Constitution

The framers of the Constitution set up a process for the states to decide on the new government. At least 9 of the 13 states had to ratify or approve the Constitution before it could go into effect.

HEATED DEBATEThe Federalist Position

Supported the Constitution

James MadisonAlexander Hamilton

Wrote a series of essays,called The Federalist Papers,defending the Constitution

The Anti-Federalist Position

Opposed to the Constitution

Patrick Henry

Felt that it made the national government too strong and the states too weak.

Chief argument: needed a bill of rights that spelled out basic freedoms

Vs.

Despite the absence of a Bill of Rights, the Constitution was ratified.

TO STUDY FOR THE REGENTS