Lesson 2 FX

Reasons for Independence

• The colonists wanted independence due to political, economic, and cultural reasons.
• Political reasons: Lack of representation in Parliament, as seen in the text on page 34.
• Economic reasons: Taxation and the fact that England took all profits from colonial trade.
• Cultural reasons: The colonists believed the English government to be illegitimate, as detailed on page 36.

Two Ideas on How Government Works

• The dominant theory of government during the colonial period was Divine Right of Kings.
  • This theory held that the monarch held power given by God.
  • The king was seen as God's representative on Earth.
• The new perspective on government emerging at the time was the Social Contract.
  • This theory held that power was held by the people, given by nature.
  • Government was formed by the consent of the people, with the people retaining significant power.

The Influence of John Locke

• John Locke, an influential English philosopher, articulated the concept of natural rights.
• These rights, believed to be God-given, included the right to life, liberty, and property.
• Locke proposed the idea of a social contract, an implicit agreement between the people and their government.
• The people agree to relinquish some freedom in exchange for the government's protection of their natural rights.
• If the government breaks this contract by violating these rights, the people are no longer bound and can withdraw their consent.

The Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence is a political document that dissolved the colonial ties between the United States and Great Britain, as detailed on page 36.
• The declaration justified the legitimacy of government and outlined the concept of unalienable rights.
• It established the notion of citizens as individuals who could claim rights against the government.
• The Declaration blamed King George III for breaking the social contract and listed grievances.
• The Declaration was considered treason against the British government and also against God.
• The Founders based their justification for independence on John Locke's philosophy.

The Articles of Confederation

• The first US Constitution was the Articles of Confederation, ratified in 1781.
• The Articles of Confederation represented the American states as independent nations, with each state striving to retain sovereignty.
• The Articles established a "firm league of friendship" among the states, rather than a fully unified union.

Government Under the AOC

• The government established under the Articles of Confederation was a confederation, where local units held all power rather than a central unit.
• The national government only had the power the states allowed it to have.
• The national government consisted of one branch, Congress, with each state holding an equal vote.
• It required nine out of thirteen states to pass laws and unanimous agreement for amendments.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• Congress under the Articles lacked the power to:
  • Draft soldiers
  • Tax citizens
  • Regulate interstate commerce
  • Establish a central monetary system

The Constitutional Convention

• The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May to September 1787.
• Its purpose was to address the problems created by the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation.
• 55 delegates attended the convention, with 39 signing the document.
• 12 out of the 13 states were represented, with Rhode Island refusing to participate.
• The result of the convention was a new Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Division at the Constitutional Convention

• Federalists favored a stronger national government, but one that was still limited.
  • They were generally from larger states and representative of them.
  • They supported the Virginia Plan.
• Anti-Federalists preferred a weaker national government, advocating for greater state power.
  • They were generally from smaller states and representative of them.
  • They supported the New Jersey Plan.

Ratification of the Constitution

• Due to the Constitution's favoritism towards Federalist ideals, Anti-Federalists were hesitant to ratify the document.
• The Federalist Papers were 85 newspaper editorials published under the pseudonym "Publius" by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison to convince states to ratify the Constitution.
• Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution.

Key Ideas of the Constitution

• James Madison, considered the father of the Constitution, believed that government should be designed using internal mechanisms based on human nature to prevent corruption.
• The Constitution incorporated key principles to address the problems of government power:
  • Separation of Powers: Divides the government vertically into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
  • Checks and Balances: Ensures each branch has some power over the others to prevent overreach.
  • Federalism: Divides power between the federal government and state governments.

Types of Power in Federalism

• Enumerated Powers: Congressional powers outlined in the Constitution, specifically Article 1 Section 8.
• Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by the federal and state governments.
• Reserved Powers: Powers reserved for the state governments, as outlined in the 10th Amendment.

The Necessary and Proper Clause

• The Necessary and Proper Clause grants Congress the authority to make any laws required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Reasons for Independence

• Colonists sought independence due to political, economic, and cultural reasons.
• Political reasons included lack of representation in the British Parliament.
• Economic reasons included taxation and England taking all the profits from trade with the colonies.
• Cultural reasons included the colonists' belief in the illegitimacy of the British government.

Two Ideas on How Government Works

• Divine Right of Kings was the dominant theory of government at the time.
  • Power was held by the monarch, given by God.
  • Government was formed by divine right, and the king was God's representative on earth.
  • No power was retained by the people.
  • Revolution against the king was a sin against God.
• Social Contract was a new perspective on government.
  • Power was held by the people, given by nature (natural rights).
  • Government was formed by consent of the people.
  • The people retained considerable power.
  • Citizens could revolt and form a new government.

The Influence of John Locke

• John Locke (1632-1704) was a significant English philosopher who influenced American revolutionary thought.
• Locke's ideas emphasized the relationship between government and natural rights, which were believed to be God-given.
• These natural rights included the right to life, liberty, and property.
• Locke proposed a social contract where people sacrificed a portion of their freedom in exchange for government protection of their natural rights.
• If the government abused its power, the contract was broken, and people had the right to withdraw their consent and form a new government.

The Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence was a political document that dissolved colonial ties between the United States and Britain.
• It justified the legitimacy of government.
• It established the concept of unalienable rights (natural rights) that cannot be taken away by governments.
• It created the idea of citizens who can claim rights against the government.
• It blamed King George III for breaking the social contract and listed grievances.
• The Declaration was seen as an act of treason against Britain.

The Articles of Confederation

• The Articles of Confederation was the first US Constitution, ratified in 1781.
• States viewed themselves as independent nations, retaining sovereignty.
• The relationship between the states was described as a "firm league of friendship."
• The Articles established a confederation, a system where power resided with the local units rather than a central unit.
• The national government only had the power that states granted it.
• The national government under the Articles consisted of one branch: Congress.
  • Each state had an equal vote.
  • Passing laws required 9 out of 13 states.
  • Passing amendments required unanimous agreement.

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• The Articles of Confederation proved to be too weak.
• Congress lacked the power to:
  • Draft soldiers.
  • Tax citizens.
  • Regulate interstate commerce.
  • Establish a central monetary system.

The Constitutional Convention

• The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia from May to September 1787.
• Its purpose was to address the problems of the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation.
• 55 delegates attended the convention, with 39 signing the Constitution.
• 12 of the 13 states were represented, with Rhode Island refusing to attend.
• The convention resulted in a new Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Division at the Constitutional Convention

• Two main factions emerged during the Convention: Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
• ** Federalists:**
  • Generally from larger states.
  • Favored a stronger national government (but still limited).
  • Represented larger states.
  • Supported a federal system where power was shared between states and the national government.
  • Supported the Virginia Plan.
• Anti-Federalists:
  • Generally from smaller states.
  • Preferred a weaker national government, giving more power to states.
  • Represented smaller states.
  • Wanted a system like a confederation, fearing a strong national government would overrule small states.
  • Supported the New Jersey Plan.

Ratification of the Constitution

• The Constitution was ratified after extensive debate and negotiation.
• Federalists, who favored the Constitution, worked to convince states to ratify.
• Anti-Federalists, who opposed the Constitution, were reluctant to ratify due to their belief in a weaker centralized government.
• John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison wrote 85 essays called The Federalist Papers to advocate for the Constitution.
• Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution.
• James Madison, considered the "Father of the Constitution," believed in harnessing human nature as it is, acknowledging its flaws like self-interest, greed, and ambition.
• He advocated for a government with internal mechanisms to prevent corruption of power.

Principles of the Constitution

• Separation of Powers: the division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
• Checks and Balances: each branch of government has some power over the others to prevent one branch from gaining too much power.
• Federalism: the division of power between the federal and state governments.

Federalism

• Enumerated Powers: Congressional powers specifically listed in the Constitution (Article 1 Section 8).
• Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by federal and state governments.
• Reserved Powers: Powers reserved for the states (10th Amendment).

Anti-Federalist Concerns

• Anti-Federalists were concerned about the potential for abuse of power by the national government.
• This concern was particularly focused on the Necessary and Proper Clause which granted Congress implied powers, potentially exceeding their enumerated powers.

Reasons for Independence

• Colonists sought independence due to political, economic, and cultural reasons
• Political reasons: lack of representation in Parliament
• Economic reasons: England's control over colonial trade, specifically taking all profits
• Cultural reason: belief in the illegitimacy of the British government

Two Ideas on How Government Works

• Divine Right of Kings: Power is held by the monarch; given by God; government formed by divine right; king is God's representative; people have no retained power
• Social Contract: Power is held by the people; given by nature (natural rights); government formed by consent of the people; people retain considerable power; citizens can revolt and form a new government

The Influence of John Locke

• John Locke (1632-1704) proposed that people sacrifice a small portion of their freedom in exchange for government protection of their lives, liberty, and property.
• This agreement between a people and their government is called the social contract.
• If the government abuses its power, the people can withdraw their consent and form a new government.

The Declaration of Independence

• Political document that dissolved ties between the United States and Britain.
• Justified the legitimacy of a new government.
• Established the concept of unalienable rights (natural rights) that cannot be taken away by governments.
• Introduced the idea of citizens who can claim rights against the government.
• Blamed King George III for breaking the social contract and listed grievances.
• Viewed as a declaration of treason against the British.
• Founded on John Locke’s principles.

The Articles of Confederation

• The first US Constitution, ratified in 1781.
• States viewed themselves as independent nations, wanting to retain sovereignty.
• Established a "firm league of friendship" rather than a full union.
• A confederation form of government where power lies with local units rather than a central unit.

The Articles of Confederation: National Government

• One branch: Congress - each state had an equal vote
• 9 out of 13 states needed to pass laws
• Unanimous agreement required to pass amendments.

The Articles of Confederation: Weaknesses

• Congress lacked the power to:
• Draft soldiers
• Tax citizens
• Regulate interstate commerce
• Establish a central monetary system

The Constitutional Convention

• Held in Philadelphia from May to September 1787.
• Purpose: to address the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation.
• 55 attendees, 39 signed the document.
• 12 of 13 states represented (Rhode Island refused to attend).
• Result: an entirely new Constitution.

Divisions at the Constitutional Convention

• Federalist: Generally from larger states; wanted a strong national government (but still limited); supported the Virginia Plan.
• Anti-Federalist: Generally from smaller states; preferred a weaker national government; wanted more power for the states; supported the New Jersey Plan.

Ratification of the Constitution

• Federalists favored the Constitution, leading to Anti-Federalist reluctance to ratify.
• John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison wrote 85 newspaper editorials, known as the Federalist Papers, to convince states to ratify the Constitution.
• Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution.

James Madison and the Constitution

• James Madison (Father of the Constitution) believed government should be created using internal mechanisms based on human nature to prevent corruption.
• Important principles included:
  • Separation of powers: division of government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
  • Checks and balances: each branch has power over the others to prevent overreach.
  • Federalism: division of power between the federal and state governments.

Federalism: Powers

• Enumerated Powers: Congressional powers specifically stated in the Constitution.
• Concurrent Powers: Powers shared by federal and state governments.
• Reserved Powers: Powers reserved for the states (10th Amendment).

Anti-Federalist Concerns and the Necessary and Proper Clause

• Anti-Federalists feared the power of the national government, including the Necessary and Proper Clause.
• The Necessary and Proper Clause allows Congress to make any law required to carry out its enumerated powers.

Reasons for Independence

• Colonists sought independence due to political, economic, and cultural reasons.
• Political reasons: Lack of representation in the British Parliament
• Economic reasons: Excessive taxation and England's control over colonial trade profits
• Cultural reasons: The colonists believed the British government was illegitimate.

Two Ideas on How Government Works

• Divine Right of Kings: The prevailing theory of government at the time, believing power resided in the monarch, granted by God.
• Social Contract: A new perspective on government, arguing power was held by the people and granted by nature (natural rights).

The Influence of John Locke

• John Locke's ideas on the relationship between government and natural rights influenced the American Revolution.
• Locke believed in God-given rights to life, liberty, and property.
• He proposed the concept of a social contract, an implicit agreement between a people and their government where people sacrificed a portion of freedom in exchange for protection of their rights.
• Locke argued that if a government abused its power and deprived individuals of their rights, the contract was broken, allowing the people to withdraw consent and form a new government.

What is The Declaration of Independence

• The Declaration of Independence severed ties between the United States and Britain.
• It asserted the legitimacy of government based on natural rights, also known as unalienable rights, which cannot be established or taken away by governments.
• It established the concept of citizens who could claim rights against the government.
• The Declaration blamed King George III for breaking the social contract and listed grievances.
• Viewed as treason against the British and against God.
• The Founders justified independence based on Locke's philosophy.

What Is The Articles of Confederation?

• The Articles of Confederation served as the first US Constitution, ratified in 1781.
• States viewed themselves as independent nations, seeking to retain sovereignty.
• The relationship between the states was described as a "firm league of friendship".

What type of government was established under the AOC?

• A confederation is a government where power lies with local units rather than the central unit.
• The national government under the Articles only had power granted by the states.

What did the national government look like?

• The national government consisted of one branch: Congress.
• Each state had an equal vote in Congress.
• Passing laws required 9 out of 13 states to agree.
• Unanimous agreement was needed to pass amendments.

The Articles of Confederation proved to be too weak!

• The Articles of Confederation lacked the power to:
  • Draft soldiers
  • Tax citizens
  • Regulate interstate commerce
  • Establish a central monetary system

What Was The Constitutional Convention?

• The Constitutional Convention took place in Philadelphia from May to September 1787.
• Its purpose was to address the problems of the weak central government under the Articles of Confederation.
• 55 delegates attended the convention, and 39 signed the document.
• 12 out of the 13 states were represented, with Rhode Island refusing to attend.
• The result was a new constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Division at the Constitutional Convention

• Federalists: Generally from larger states, advocated for a stronger national government but still with limitations.
• Anti-Federalists: Generally from smaller states, preferred a weaker national government with more power for the states.

Comparison of Federalist and Anti-Federalist Beliefs

• Federalists: Represented larger states, sought a federal system with power shared between states and the national government, supported the Virginia Plan.
• Anti-Federalists: Represented smaller states, wanted a confederation-like system, were concerned a strong national government would dominate smaller states, supported the New Jersey Plan.

Ratification of the Constitution

• The Anti-Federalists were reluctant to ratify the Constitution because it favored the Federalists' desires.
• John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison authored 85 newspaper editorials, known as the Federalist Papers, to persuade states to ratify the Constitution.
• Rhode Island was the last state to ratify the Constitution.

Father of the Constitution, James Madison

• James Madison believed in harnessing human nature as it was, not as it should be, recognizing people as innately self-interested, greedy, and ambitious.
• He argued that government should be designed using internal mechanisms based on human nature to prevent corruption of power.

Separation of Powers

• The division of government vertically into three branches (legislative, executive, judicial).

Checks and Balances

• Each branch of government possessing sufficient power over the others to prevent overreach.

Federalism

• The division of power between the federal and state governments.

Federalism: Types of Powers

• Enumerated Powers: Specific congressional powers outlined in the Constitution, found in Article 1 Section 8.
• Concurrent Powers: Powers shared between the federal and state governments.
• Reserved Powers: Powers reserved for the states, outlined in the 10th amendment.

What were the Anti-Federalist so afraid of?

• The Anti-Federalists were concerned about the "necessary and proper" clause, which grants Congress the authority to make laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

This quiz explores the various reasons for American independence, including political, economic, and cultural factors. Additionally, it examines differing theories of government that influenced colonial thought, such as the Divine Right of Kings and the Social Contract. The influence of John Locke on these ideas is also highlighted.