The document provides an overview of the political history and foundations of the United States government. It discusses how the earliest colonies established representative democracy and systems of governance. Key influences included the Magna Carta, John Locke's ideas of natural rights, and the desire for religious freedom. Growing tensions between the colonies and British government over taxation and representation led to the American Revolution. The Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation established the first framework of government, though the latter proved too weak and prompted calls for reform.
3. House of Burgesses Formed in 1619 Jamestown, Virginia First Representative Democracy in Colonies
4. Creating The 13 Colonies Charter = document that gave permission to form government Early on England left the colonists alone, this was called, Salutary Neglect
5. Religious Freedom Pilgrims on the Mayflower – religious freedom Also = new government = mayflower compact = Direct Democracy / trail by peers
6. Southern Colonies = Agriculture = rice and tobacco / Used Slaves New England Colonies = fishing, ship building and farming / Tended to be religious Middle Colonies = factories produced paper and textiles / some farming /
7. Influences on American Government Republic Representatives are elected to make laws First used by the Romans
8. Magna Carta Famous document signed in 1215 No one above law Trial by peers
9. John Locke Not that Guy! Big Idea = Natural Rights “ Life, Liberty and Property”
10. WHAT LED TO THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION? French-Indian War Fought in North America = Britain v. France. Colonists fought on the side of GB War cost GB a lot – Get it back through taxes
11. Proclamation of 1763 British King makes agreement with Native Americans – giving them the land west of the Appalachians = Angered colonists
12. Mercantilism When countries, like Britain, exploit their colonies by forcing them to trade solely with them. Boston Massacre 1770 – British troops open fire on civilian protesters – 5 people are killed
13. STAMP ACT British Government wanted to raise money – decided to tax the colonies through the stamp act. "No Taxation, without Representation" Very unpopular with colonists – who argued they had nobody in parliament to speak up for them. Boycotted goods
14. Boston Tea Party In protest of a tax on tea (Tea Act) some colonists dumped tea into Boston harbor.
15. The British Government was so mad about the signs of rebellion in the colonies that they passed tough new laws called Coercive Act But the colonists had a different name for it……. Intolerable Act
16. Thomas Paine Wrote ‘Common Sense’ A best seller in 1776 – It basically told Americans they needed to seek independence.
17. Declaration of Independence 2 nd Continental Congress – 1776 War already on Committee chosen to write it MAIN GUY= Thomas Jefferson
18. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION = America’s first government Good Bad + Won the war + North West Ordinances + Brought country together -no power to regulate trade -no power to tax -no power to enforce laws -no executive branch
19. Shay's Rebellion Daniel Shays = Massachusetts Farmer Led rebellion against state government Highlighted weakness of Articles of Confederation
