Bell Ringer
Which historical document
were you assigned last class?
Describe it in 2-3 sentences!
Bell Ringer
What are some just and
unjust rules here Rocky?
Why are these just and
unjust and how would you
productively change them?
Bell Ringer
List the historical
documents we discussed last
class period. Then, write
down a couple of words to
help you remember each
document.
Origins of American
Government
Basic Concepts of
Government
The English colonists in America
brought with them three main
concepts:
•The need for ordered government.
•The idea of limited government, that is, that
government should not be all-powerful.
•The concept of representative government, a
government that serves the will of the people.
The English Colonies
• All unique
characteristics shaped
by English origins
• Three different
Charters:
1. Royal Colonies
•
Bicameral
2. Proprietary
Colonies
•
Unicameral
3. Charter Colonies
Growing Colonial Unity
1. New England
Confederation
2. The Albany Plan
• 1754 - Benjamin
Franklin proposes Plan
• In 1643, several New
• Annual congress of
England settlements
delegates from each of
formed the New England
the 13 colonies would
Confederation.
be formed
3. The Stamp Act Congress
• 1765 - group of colonies sent delegates to the
Stamp Act Congress in New York
• Prepared Declaration of Rights and Grievances
against British policies and sent it to the king
4. First Continental
Congress
•
The colonists sent a
Declaration of Rights
to King George III
•
The delegates urged
colonies to refuse
trade with England
until British tax and
trade regulations were
repealed
•
1775 - 13 colonies
sent
representatives to
gathering in
Philadelphia
•
Served as first
government of the
United States
from 1776 to 1781
5. Second
Continental
Congress
6. American Independence
On July 4, 1776, the
Second
Continental
Congress adopted
the Declaration of
Independence
The Articles of Confederation
Powers
1. Declare war
2. National finance issues
3. Settle disputes among
the States
Obligations
States promised to…
1. Obey Congress
2. Respect the laws of the
other States
Most other powers were
retained by each State
A Call for a Stronger
Government
• 1785 - Representatives from Maryland
and Virginia met at Mount Vernon,
Virginia to discuss trade issues
• Virginia General Assembly requested
meeting of all thirteen States
– AKA - the Constitutional Convention
Leaders of the
Philadelphia Convention
• James Madison: co-author of the Articles of
Confederation
• Gouverneur Morris: Lawyer, helped develop the
U.S. system of money
• Alexander Hamilton: was a lawyer who favored a
strong central government
• George Washington: was the successful leader of
the Continental Army
Some famous leaders who were NOT at
the Philadelphia Convention
 Patrick Henry said he “smelt a rat” and
refused to attend.
 Samuel Adams and John Hancock were not
selected as delegates by their states.
 Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine were in
Paris.
• John Adams was on diplomatic missions to
England and Holland.
Exit Ticket
List 4 key events led
up to the Declaration
of Independence?
Exit Ticket
What events made it
difficult to finalize the
Declaration?
Bell Ringer
What is an ideal of
government located
in the Declaration of
Independence?