American Democracy
& Citizenship
Our Democratic Foundations
Foundations of Democracy
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U.S. has a democratic
republic – people have
the power to rule and
elect representatives to
serve in government
Based on ideas from
Greeks and Romans,
British political system,
and philosophers from
the Enlightenment
Declaration of Independence
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July 4, 1776
Officially separated
13 colonies from
English government
Did NOT start the
Revolution! (started
April 1775)
Written by Thomas
Jefferson
“Created” the U.S.A.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all
men are created equal, that they are endowed by
their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,
that among these are Life, Liberty and the
pursuit of Happiness.”
Articles of Confederation
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1781-1789 - first true U.S. government
Weak national government / strong state
governments – opposite of England’s
No President to enforce laws – feared he
might become a king
One-house Congress with little power
No way to tax, support a national military,
print money, or enforce its laws
Dissatisfaction with the Confederation
Each state government had
own laws, currency – little
cooperation
• Gov’t couldn’t pay pensions to
soldiers as promised
• Shays’ Rebellion – western
Massachusetts, 1786-87 –
debt-ridden farmers rebelled
when state took farms &
imprisoned debtors
• Crisis convinced many
Americans a better system
was needed
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U.S. Constitution
1789-present
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Replaced Articles of
Confederation
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“Written” by James
Madison
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Three branches of
government:
1) Legislative – Makes
law (Congress)
2) Executive – Enforces
law (President)
3) Judicial – Interprets
law (Courts)
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Federalist & Anti-Federalist
Constitution had to be ratified
(approved) by 9 of the 13
states
• Federalists thought central
government should be strong –
James Madison, Alexander
Hamilton, John Jay – The
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Federalist Papers
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Anti-Federalists feared power
of central government; took too
much power from the states –
Patrick Henry, Samuel
Adams, Thomas Jefferson
Bill of Rights
Proposed in 1789 to
settle debate between
Federalists and antiFederalists
• Approved by states in
1791
• First 10 Amendments
to the Constitution
• Listed citizens’ basic
rights in the new
government
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A “Living Document”
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Constitution can change through
amendments (changes or additions) as
culture and country change
Slavery, voting rights, civil rights were
some of the major changes since 1791
Only 27 Amendments (10 + 17) –
requires 2/3 of both houses of Congress
and ¾ of all states to approve
Courts can interpret Constitution and
expand or decrease certain powers and
rights over time