Introduction to American Politics Class 2 Slides PDF

Introduction to American Politics The Founding, Federalism, and Civil Liberties Plan for the Week Explain the structure of the United States Government Ideals and its contradictions Discuss federalism Conclude with a discussion on civil liberties Points of Contact (Office Hours Start...

Introduction to American Politics The Founding, Federalism, and Civil Liberties Plan for the Week Explain the structure of the United States Government Ideals and its contradictions Discuss federalism Conclude with a discussion on civil liberties Points of Contact (Office Hours Start This Week) Justin Tues/Thurs [email protected] Zimmerman du 1:30-2:30 Charles Tues/Fri 10:30- Mandracchia [email protected] 11:30 Shrinja Dixon Tues/Thurs 11:00 - [email protected] 12:00 Amalini Tues/Thurs 10:30 - Fernando [email protected] 11:30 Shelby Cook- Tues/Thurs 11:00- Shannon [email protected] 12:00 Importance factors in the Founding of the US The establishment of American ideals such as liberty, equality, and justice Land Removal from Native nations Enslavement of Africans Land Removal and the Founding First colony was established 1607 in Jamestown, Virginia Second colony established in 1620 in Plymouth, Massachusetts Thousands of native nations were already established in places like Jamestown, Virginia and Plymouth, Massachusetts. Many of which had their own democratic self- governance Disease and violence decimated these native nations Settler Colonialism-The unauthorized taking of native land Taxes and Conflict Colonist consisted of two groups: 1. Radical (small farmers, shoekeepers, and artisans) 2. Colonial Elite (merchants, planters, and royalist) Colonial elites enjoyed the most privileges, but high taxes caused a divide among the group British become more draconian in rule which leads to resistance (i.e. events such the Boston Tea Party) As Colonist Push for Freedom Slavery Persists Enslavement-a system of holding people for the purpose of forced labor so that slaveowners could extract profit 1619 the first enslaved Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia Slavery plays a key factor in the conflicts between colonists and the British Profits from slavery were a source of significant income for the colonies Conflict of Ideals and Practice Declaration of independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…” But…the practice land removal of native nations and the enslavement of Africans. Most of the signatories of the Declaration of independence were slaveowners The document speaks of Natives as savages, which they accuse King George of using to destroy colonists Established a Government Influence of European Enlightenment promoting ideas of limited government (Hobbs), individual rights (Locke), and the balancing of power (Montesquieu) Founder eventually established the Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation created a congress with little power and no head of state Why might this have been a problem? Drawback to the Articles of Confederation No national laws No national army No power to collect taxes Second Founding Many realize the Articled of Confederation are impractical Constitutional Convention organized in May 1787 Great Compromise-Established Bicameral Legislature. Representation according to population for congress and equal representation for the Senate Who was Crispus Attucks? First person killed in the American Revolution by the British Man of native and African descent Colonists were worried about whether enslaved Africans we fight for the British Colonists Debate over Slavery of Constitutions Black soldiers fighting w/ colonist weakened support for slavery The argument for the immorality of slavery are growing However, slavery is lucrative for both the north and the south Three-fifths Compromise Seats in the house of representatives would be apportioned according to a “population” in which only “three-fifths: of enslaved people would be counted The compromise would lead to southern states receiving additional influence in congress Stay in place until the 14th amendment THE Constitutio n National control of commerce and finance, national judicial supremacy over state courts, and allowed for a strong presidency Checks and Balances Established the Bill of Rights Separation of powers and Federalism Three branches of government (Legislative, Executive, and Judicial) Legislative Branch Article 1 of the Constitution Authority to collect taxes Borrow money Regulate Commerce Declare War Main an army and navy Elastic clause-Congress can write the laws Executive Branch Article 2 Executive powers are often implied (i.e. executive power) Unconditional power to accept Ambassadors Grants pardons Power to appoint cabinet Veto Power Make timely decisive actions to deal with national issues and problems System of indirect election Why? To ensure the president can withstand ”excessively democratic pressure” an indirect election was created. The electoral College. Judicial Branch Article 3 of the Constitution Resolves tension between federal and state law Resolves tensions between citizens and states Federal judges are given lifetime appointments Marbury v. Madison establishes judicial review. Judicial Review- the power of a court to determine whether the actions of Congress or the executive are consistent with the constitution Federalists versus Antifederalists Conflict on whether to ratify the constitution Federalist-Supported the constitution and wanted a strong national government Antifederalist-Opposed the constitution and preferred a decentralized federal government Federalist Papers were written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. The Federalist Papers defended the principles of the constitution Federalist prevail but antifederalist did fight for the bill of rights to be included Where would you stand? Thursday Conversation What is federalism? What are civil liberties? A deeper look at how our government promotes federalism and civil liberties? Reflection Paper 1 Assignment First, you are to draw on the section’s literature to answer the central question(s) captured in the readings in 2-3 paragraphs. These essays are expected to be thoughtful, empirically defensible, and supported by the assigned readings and Submit the assignment on Brightspace no later than September 17 at 11:59 pm. Subjects to Consider What is democracy and how democratic is the U.S.? Federalists v. Antifederalists. What side are you on? What limits should be put on Civil Liberties? This not exhaustive list. Write about what interests you in any of the readings Keys to Success Use MLA, APA, or Chicago Style Cite the textbook, slides, and/or additional readings from the class Have a thesis statement Write clearly Support your conclusions with clear examples from the readings Federalism Power is divided between the central and regional government Intergovernmental relations-processes by which those levels of government negotiate and compromise over policy responsibilities Federal versus the State The interests of state government and national government do not always align States can undermine a sitting president’s agenda This conflict is politics Ramifications of Federalism Sometimes states need a strong federal government to respond to public demands (i.e. integration, ACA, hurricane relief) Can be hard for citizens to assign accountability. Powers of the State Reserved Power (10th Amendment) Tenth Amendment- Powers the constitution does not delegate to the national government are reserved to the states or people. Concurrent Powers- share power with the national government (i.e. charter banks, grant or deny business licenses etc.) Police Power-create and enforce laws Full Faith and Credit Clause Article 4 of the Constitution States are expected to honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings However, states do not always honor the clause Loving v. Virginia-Mildred and Richard loving were married the District of Columbia, but their home state of Virginia refused to recognize the union. Cooperative Federalism Grants-in-aid- Money given to the states to be used for a particular purpose defined by Congress Categorical Grants- Federal government determines the categories for which money can be used These grants are used to encourage states and localities to follow nationally defined goals State’s Rights A belief that state did not have to obey federal laws that they believed exceeded the national government’s constitutional authority Arguments were typically used to combat civil rights laws Can state governments simply ignore the mandates of the national government? Current Federal-State Tensions Immigration Abortion Drug legalization Civil Liberties Restrictions on government power Determine what the government may or may not do to restrict individual freedom Most recent examples. Covid-19 protocols. Bill of Rights First Amendment-Freedom of speech and religion Second Amendment-Right to bear arms Third Amendment-prohibition of the involuntary quartering of soldiers in private houses. Fourth Amendment- Prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures Fifth Amendment- Due process protections Sixth Amendment-speedy public trial by jury Seventh Amendment- Right to trial by jury Eighth Amendment- Prohibits cruel or unusual punishment Ninth Amendment- protects unenumerated rights of the people (i.e. rights not specifically spelled out in the constitution) Tenth-powers not delegated to the United States are reserved to the states or the people. One Example Freedom of Religion 1st Amendment Separation of Church and State Establishment Clause 1) Could mean no that the national government is prohibited from establishing a national church OR 2) It could mean the government can provide assistance to religious institutions as long as the government is impartial OR 3) That there is a wall of separation of religion and government (especially schools) Another Example Freedom of Speech and it Limits You can be as insulting and outrageous as you want within limits Exceptions: Clear and present danger (Espionage Act of 1917) Fighting words Hate Speech (For the most part protected) Student Speech Limited protection in public schools Morse v. Frederick- SC rules that “Bong Hits 4 Jesus” is not protected speech in high school What about college? How do we determine what should be allowed? Takeaways Founder were not without their contradictions. Who is free? Who has rights? Federalism continues the politics of determining who has the power between states and the national government. Though there is cooperation as well Civil Liberties are continuously contested In general, the interpretation of the constitution leads to conflicts throughout each of the above subjects