NAME ______
Chapter 2 (pages 26-60)
Grade Sheet
Origins of American Government
Outline 1_____ (20)
Outline 2_____ (20)
Outline 3_____ (20)
Outline 4_____ (20)
Outline 5_____ (20)
Daily Grade ______(100)
Section 1 Political Beginnings
Facts
- American colonists benefited from a developing English tradition of ordered, limited, and representative government.
- This tradition was based on the Magna Carta, Petition of Right, and the English Bill of Rights.
- The English provided training for colonists in the art of government.
Vocab
Limited government
Representative government
Magna Carta
Petition of Right
English Bill of Rights
Charter
Bicameral
Proprietary
Unicameral
Basic Concepts of Government
- Most of American government was adopted from the English, however, the English has their government based in the ideas of early Africa, Asia, and, most directly, Rome.
- List the three main ideas England used in shaping the colonial governments.
A)______
B)______
C)______
Landmark English Documents
- List the three main documents England used in shaping the colonial governments.
A)______
B)______
C)______
The English Colonies
- England developed 13 colonies in the Americas from 1607-1733.
- What was the first & last colony? ______
- Each colony was established on the basis of a charter. This eventually led to the development of three different types of colonies. What were they?
A)______
B)______
C)______
- List the eight Royal colonies. Explain their process of government.
- List the three proprietary colonies. Explain their process of government.
- List the two charter colonies. Explain their process of government.
Questions
- The concept of limited government could not have developed in England without the signing of the Magna Carta and the Petition of Right. To what degree is this an accurate statement?
- What two factors greatly influenced the development of colonial government.
Section 2 The Coming of Independence
Facts
- Great Britain became more involved with the colonies in the 1760s.
- The colonists reacted to changes made by Britain by taking small steps towards independence.
- 12 of the original 13 colonies joined the Continental Congress.
- In May of 1775, the Second Continental Congress began. It became the United States first government and drafted the Declaration of Independence.
Vocab
Confederation
Albany Plan of Union
Delegate
Boycott
Repeal
Popular Sovereignty
Britain’s Colonial Policies
- Shortly after the French & Indian War, Britain expected the colonists to help pay back war costs. As a result, the colonies were heavily taxed. The Colonists tried to protest, but they had no representation in English Parliament.
- England was not about to allow colonial reps in Parliament and within a few years, the colonists faced a fateful choice: to submit or to revolt.
Growing Colonial Unity
- Plans to unify the colonies began as early as 1643.
- What was the New England Confederation. Who was in it? Why did it fall apart?
- What was The Albany Plan. Who was in it? Why did it fall apart?
- What was the Stamp Act Congress. Who was in it? What was the Declaration of Rights & Grievances? What was the Committees of Correspondence? What did all of these lead to?
The Continental Congress
- What was the goal of this group?
The Second Continental Congress
- What was the goal of this group?
- Who was President of this group? ______
- Who was appointed Commander & Chief?______
- Who replaced Washington as the Virginia delegate?______
- What eventually replaced the Continental Congress as the government of the United States? ______
- What type of Congress was created under the Articles of Confederation? ______
Drafting State Constitutions
- Use the chart to summarize the common characteristics of state Constitutions.
Common Features of State Constitutions
Popular Sovereignty
Limited Government
Civil Rights & Liberties
Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances
Question
- The Declaration of Independence states that all men are endowed “with certain unalienable Rights,…….Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” Is this statement fact or opinion? Explain.
Section 3 The Critical Period
Facts
- The Article of Confederation was created by the Continental Congress to provide a more permanent government for the U.S.
- The Articles had too many weaknesses and soon the new country was becoming chaotic.
- In May, 1787, a Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia to Amend the Articles.
- Instead, the Articles were discarded and the Constitution was written.
Vocab
Articles of Confederation
Ratification
Presiding officer
The Articles of Confederation
- Define the three main bodies of the Articles of Confederation.
A) Governmental Structure
B) Powers of Congress
C) State Obligations
- The Articles had many weaknesses that eventually caused the country to become disunified.
- List the eight weaknesses of the Articles.
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
G)
H)
The Critical Period
- Shays’s Rebellion is considered to be the breaking point of the Articles of Confederation.
- What happened and why was it considered so devastating to the Articles?
Questions
- The Articles of Confederation contained several weaknesses. The biggest being the lack of a strong central government. Why do you think the states would purposely create a weak central government under the Articles?
- For what reason is the period of the Articles of Confederation called the Critical Period in American History?
Section 4 Creating the Constitution
Facts
- Rhode Island was the only state to not send delegates to the convention.
- The Virginia & NJ Plans both offered ways to organize the new government.
- Many compromises were written in order to satisfy all groups at the convention.
Vocab
Framers
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
Connecticut Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise
The Framers
- 55 delegates from 12 states attended the convention
- Jefferson called this collection of men “an assembly of demi-gods.”
- Based on the background of these Framers, what policies do you think they would favor in drafting the Constitution?
Compromises
- With so many educated delegates at the convention, there were many ideas on how the new government should be created. Because of this, the need for compromise was great.
- Why did the delegates from the smaller states object to the Virginia Plan?
- Why did the delegates from the large states object to the New Jersey Plan?
- Do you feel the Connecticut Compromise was a success? Why or why not?
Sources of the Constitution
- Which two ancient civilizations did the framers draw most of their governmental ideas from? ______& ______
Questions
- Why were southern states so adamant about the provisions of the Three-Fifths Compromise?
- The Constitution has been called a “bundle of compromises.” What does this mean? Explain.
Section 5 Ratifying the Constitution
Facts
- The Federalists promoted the Constitution.
- The Anti-Federalists feared it put too much power in the hands of a few.
- Under the Constitution, our Nations capital was New York City
Vocab
Federalist
Anti-Federalists
Quorum
Questions
- Why were Virginia and New York important in the ratification of the Constitution?
- Why were the Anti-Federalists so fearful of a strong central government?