Designing America

Early American
History Review Unit
Who invented democracy??
We associate democracy with the early Greek
and Roman civilizations, but these earlier
experiments were relatively temporary.
Theories were developed by 17th and 18th C.
European thinkers during the Enlightenment.
Two documents had a profound impact on
the relationship between the government and
the people of England. These would later
influence the plan for the U.S. government.
The Magna Carta-1215
Limited the power of the king by giving
certain rights to nobles (later all citizens)
 Protection from cruel and unusual punishment
 Protection of life, liberty and property
 The right to a fair and speedy trial by jury
 Protection from taxation without consent
Placed the power of government beneath
that of the written law.
The English Bill of Rights-1689
British royalty agreed to accept this Bill of Rights
establishing the supremacy of Parliament and
guaranteeing:
-freedom of speech in Parliament
-rights to those accused of crimes
The people would elect representatives to make
laws and govern. It was divided into a House of
Lords and a House of Commons.
Democracy travels to America
The Virginia House of Burgesses-1619
The first representative legislature in
the English colonies. Representatives
began to enact laws and protect rights.
The Mayflower Compact-1620. Signed
by the men on the Mayflower, agreeing
to form a political body that would pass
laws for the good of the colony.
(Fast forward to late 1700s)
In the 1760s and 1770s, conflict arose
between Parliament and the colonists
when they came to believe that their
basic rights were being denied.
The Stamp Act placed the first direct
tax on the colonists, leading to the cry,
“No taxation without representation.”
After a decade of growing tension, the
2nd Continental Congress decided to
take drastic steps . . . .
What are “unalienable rights?”

Enlightenment thinkers promoted the

idea that men were born with natural or
god-given rights.
They suggested that the whole purpose
of government was to insure these
individual rights.
Declaration of Independence-1776
(primarily written by Thomas Jefferson)
Introduction, “When in the course of
human events . . .”
“Unalienable rights” section provided
the theoretical basis for revolution.
List of grievances with King George.
The formal declaration, pledging their
lives, their fortunes, and their sacred
honor.
The Articles of Confederation
(written in 1777, adopted in 1781)
Our first plan of government tried to limit
the powers of the national government,
giving states more power.
 Distrusted strong central government- why?
Had no executive or judicial branches.
Couldn’t tax, regulate trade or enforce
laws.
Failed to create stability or instill
confidence in our government.
The Constitutional Convention-1787
Stated purpose of this meeting was to
“amend” the Articles of Confederation.
Support grew for the idea of starting from
scratch and drawing up a new constitution
that would give more powers to the federal
government.
Out of much debate and compromise, the
U.S. Constitution was created, but its
adoption would require ratification by 9 of the
13 states.
Principles of U.S. Constitution
Limited government-Powers of government
are restricted by the Constitution. (Articles I,
II, III)
Republicanism-Voters hold the power and
elect representatives to exercise that power
for them. (Preamble, Art. I)
Checks and Balances-Each branch of
government exercises some control over the
others, sharing power among them (I, II, III)
Federalism-Power is divided between the
national and state governments, limiting
central power. (10th Amendment)
Separation of Powers-Each branch of
government has its own responsibilities and
limitations. (Articles I, II, III)
Popular Sovereignty-Authority for government
flows from the people to their representatives.
(Preamble and 10th Amendment)
Individual Rights-Unalienable rights guaranteed
to all citizens. (Preamble and the Bill of Rights)
The Federalist Papers- 1787-88
A series of 85 highly intelligent essays
were written to explain why the new
Constitution should be ratified.
The Federalist Papers helped sway the
vote. The Constitution was ratified in
1788 and George Washington was
chosen as our first President, largely
because of his military leadership in the
American Revolution.
The Bill of Rights (added in
1791)
The first 10 Amendments to the U.S.
Constitution. (Summarize these.)
Designed to protect the individual
rights of American citizens from being
taken away by a too-powerful federal
government.
Designed to “protect the rights of the
minority from the will of the majority.”
The Importance of Freedom
of Speech and a Free Press
Why are these two freedoms essential
to the survival of a democracy?
Number 1 reason . . . To allow us to
safely criticize our elected leaders and
our government’s policies.
It is believed that, without this freedom,
power would fall into the hands of
powerful individuals that don’t
represent the will of the people.