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AMERICA’S POLITICAL HERITAGE

AMERICA’S POLITICAL HERITAGE. THE COLONIAL EXPERIENCE. heritage : traditions passed down from one generation to the next. Colonists carved roads through the Virginia wilderness. A Voice in Government. A Voice in Government Legislature – a group of people chosen to make the laws

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AMERICA’S POLITICAL HERITAGE

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  1. AMERICA’S POLITICAL HERITAGE

  2. THE COLONIAL EXPERIENCE • heritage: traditions passed down from one generation to the next Colonists carved roads through the Virginia wilderness.

  3. A Voice in Government • A Voice in Government • Legislature – a group of people chosen to make the laws • Gave citizens some degree of self-rule (1619) Virginia House of Burgesses • Colonists still subject to English monarch • charter - a document giving permission to create a government • England had final say in colonial government • Preserving Rights • Struggle between elected Legislatures and royally appointed governors • taxes "Patrick Henry Before the Virginia House of Burgesses"

  4. Citizenship in the Colonies • only white land-owners could vote • no slaves/servants could vote • still this system was ahead of most European countries • The Common Good • Serve communities • public education Signing of the Declaration of Independence, painting by John Trumbull

  5. Greater Religious Freedoms Puritans break from Anglican church (Church of England) Puritans often persecuted non-Puritans Freedom of religion open to Christianity only Roots of Freedom

  6. Roots of Freedom • Freedom of the Press • Only source of information • Could not criticize English government • John Peter Zenger & the New York Weekly Journal

  7. Signs of Discontent • mid-1700s England tightens its grip on colonies (through appointed governors) • tyranny – abuse of power

  8. ROOTS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

  9. Looking To Ancient Greece and Rome • Athenians & direct democracy: a form of government in which laws are made directly by the citizens • America’s town hall meetings • Rome & the republic: a government in which representatives are elected to make laws

  10. The English Tradition • The Magna Carta1215 – first example of republic since Roman Empire • nobles forced King John to sign document • listed rights even the monarch could take away • eventually extended to all English citizens King John Sealing Magna Carta in 1215.

  11. The English Tradition • The English Bill of Rights - 1689 • Parliament establish in late 1200s • Limited monarch powers (could not tax, limit speech without approval) • Extended rights to citizens beyond Parliament • Everyone must obey laws (even government leaders) English Bill of Rights In 1689 King William III and Queen Mary II assented to the English Bill of Rights, an important document in terms of English liberty. One of its purposes was to establish the supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy. Shown here is the Clerk of the Crown reading out the Bill to William and Mary in the Banqueting Hall at Whitehall, London.

  12. Relying on Reason • natural rights – rights one is born with and cannot be taken away • John Locke • Government exists for the people, not people for the government • Protect natural rights (life, liberty, and property) • Separation of Powers – dividing power among executive, legislative, & judicial • Baron de Montesquieu • Eliminate tyranny – no branch could have total power

  13. MOVING TOWARD NATIONHOOD

  14. A Clash of Views • Colonists only represented by their legislatures – not in English Parliament • Parliament made little effort to understand colonists needs • Colonists could only trade with England

  15. “No Taxation Without Representation” • Parliament taxes colonists to pay off war debts • Gave governors more power over colonies The Stamp Act of 1765 taxed all paper products - legal documents, business records, even playing cards - and specified that taxes be paid in "hard money."

  16. Steps Toward Independence • Committees of Correspondence passed on info to colonies • Unite against tyranny • First Continental Congress forms (1774) • Cut off trade with England; situation doesn’t improve • Second Continental Congress (1775) • Thomas Paine writes Common Sense(1776) – widely read • Some colonists fear independence

  17. The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson • popular support increasing • need support of European countries • unalienable rights

  18. Organizing a New Government • compact – a written agreement to make and obey laws for the welfare of the group • State constitutions written • Limited governors’ terms • Separation of powers

  19. The Articles of Confederation • Decentralized government • Each state has one (1) vote in legislature • No executive or judicial branches • All colonies ratified (approved) 1781 (need to agree or lose war)

  20. A Limping Government • After winning war, America was broke • No confidence in currency • No power to tax goods (Articles Of Confederation) • English goods cheaper (kind of like China) • No trade allowed with other British colonies

  21. Shay’s Rebellion • Farmer’s in debt (no market for goods – see F-d.) • States raise taxes on land • Daniel Shays leads rebellion in Massachusetts courthouse • News spreads nationwide • Americans are afraid and call for stronger national government. Men Fighting During Shays's Rebellion

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