American Government: Roots and Reform Federalism

• 1776 - Declaration of Independence

  • Officially declared the USA was free from Britain

• The Articles of Confederation were the original plan for government in the United States.

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Roots of the US Government

• Confederation: A group of individuals united together for a common purpose.

• Created a weak national government. (that was their goal!)

  • Couldn't Tax

  • No President (Why?)

• States:

  • Independent and have their own government.

  • Send representatives to the Congress of the Confederation to make laws.

  • Congress is the only branch of government.

  • One vote per state.

Articles of Confederation

• The 4 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were:

  • Needed 9/13 states to approve laws.

  • Amending the Articles required all 13 states to agree to change them.

  • Congress had no power to tax.

  • Congress had no power to enforce laws.

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Weaknesses:

• ​Daniel Shays led farmers to revolt against the Massachusetts State Government because of the loss of farmland to pay off debts.

• No national army.

• Result: Taxes were cut and farmers/soldiers had more time to pay debts.

• Exposed the weaknesses of the government created by the Articles.

Shay's Rebellion

• ​States debated over how each one would be represented...

• Small States: New Jersey Plan

  • Each state has equal representation.

  • Only one house of Congress.

• Large States: Virginia Plan

  • Representation based on population.

  • 2 houses of Congress.
    
    

We Need a Plan!

​New Jersey Plan vs. Virginia Plan

• 1787 - Constitution - A plan for government. (Rules, Regulations)

• Created 3 Branches of Government.

  • Judicial, Legislative, Executive

• Bicameral Legislature - How many voters each state gets!

  • House of Representatives and the Senate

    • House: based on population!

    • Senate: Every state gets two!

• National government can tax!

• National Currency $$$!

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The Constitution

The Bill of Rights

• 1st Amendment: Freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion.

• 2nd Amendment: Right to keep and bear arms. (Well-Regulated Militia)

• 3rd Amendment: Government cannot quarter soldiers. (Live in your home)

• 4th Amendment: Government cannot unreasonably search or seize. (take)

• 5th Amendment: People have the right to not self-incriminate. (Due Process)

• 6th Amendment: Speedy and public trial for crimes.

• 7th Amendment: Jury trial in federal cases.

• 8th Amendment: Government cannot give cruel and unusual punishments.

• 9th Amendment: People have more rights than what are specifically stated.

• 10th Amendment: Separation of Powers - Federal Gov. has only the powers in the constitution. The rest goes to the states or people.