I turn polar bears white And I will make you cry. I make guys have to pee And girls comb their hair. I make celebrities look stupid And normal people look

I turn polar bears white And I will make you cry. I make guys have to pee And girls comb their hair.

I make celebrities look stupid And normal people look like celebrities.

I turn pancakes brown And make your champagne bubble.

If you squeeze me, I'll pop. If you look at me, you'll pop. Can you answer this riddle?

No.

Foundations of American Government

Our Political Beginnings

Our Historical Beginnings White European explorers, traders,

and settlers began making their way to North America in the mid-sixteenth century Mainly French, Dutch, Spanish, Swedes, and

English The English came in largest

numbers and soon controlled the 13 colonies

Landmark English Documents

Magna Carta Trial by jury; Due process by law—protection against taking

life, liberty, or property; Limit on king’s absolute power Petition of Right

Limited the King’s power further Could no longer imprison or punish without lawful judgment

of peers Could not impose marshal law in time of peace Could not require civilians to house troops

English Bill of Rights William and Mary of Orange

No standing army in peace time, except with consent of Congress

Parliament elections be free Fair trial; Freedom from excessive bail; No cruel and

unusual punishment

Landmark English Documents Magna Carta

Meaning “Great Charter” In 1215, a group of barons forced King John

to sign it because they were weary of his military campaigns and heavy taxes

It served as protection from the absolute power of the king—Divine Right. Established that the powers of the monarch are

NOT absolute Originally contained 63 clauses

Magna Carta

Out of 63 clauses, only 3 are still relevant today

1. Guaranteeing the liberties of the English Church

2. Confirming the privileges of the city of London and other towns

3. No free man shall be imprisoned, dispossessed, outlawed, or exiled without the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land

Basic Concepts of Government

Ordered government Governments (states) need to have an “orderly”

relationship with one another Established offices and units of govt that still exist

today: sheriff, grand jury, counties, townships, etc Limited government

Govt is NOT all-powerful. Individuals have rights that can not be taken away—natural rights

Representative government Govt should serve the will of the people People should have a voice in deciding what the

government should/should not do

Historical Movement toward Independence

Establishment of Colonies 1607 – Virginia—the first colony was

founded (Jamestown) 1733 – Georgia—the last colony to

form (Savannah) By 1775, there were 13 separate

colonies Each colony was established by a charter

—a written grant of authority from the king

Three Types of Colonies

Over time, three different types of colonies developed: Royal Colonies

Under direct control of the King

Propriety Colonies Under control of a proprietor—person given a

land grant by the king

Charter Colonies Granted to the colonists directly—they were

largely self-governing

Royal Colonies King named governor, executive Bicameral

Two house system Elected by male property owners All laws had to be approved by Governor

or the Crown Examples: Massachusetts, New

Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia

Propriety Colonies Established people who received land

grants from the King Government was one chosen by the

owner Unicameral—these colonies used a

one house system Examples: Pennsylvania, Delaware,

Maryland

Charter Colonies Granted by England to the colonists

themselves Almost totally self-governed

Meaning they were not subject to direct scrutiny or control of the Crown

Examples: Rhode Island, Connecticut

Royal Colonies Massachusetts, New


Propriety Colonies Pennsylvania, Delaware,

Maryland Charter ColoniesCharter Colonies

Rhode Island, Connecticut


Royal Colonies Massachusetts, New


Propriety Colonies Pennsylvania, Delaware,

Maryland Charter ColoniesCharter Colonies

Rhode Island, Connecticut


(1754-1763) French and Indian War

War costs $$$$... Heavy taxes were placed onto the

colonists The increase in taxes upset the

colonists But bigger issue was that they had no

“say” in deciding taxes — TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION

(1760) King George III

King George III was initially welcomed However, soon became seen as an

autocratic ruler Began to raise taxes to support British

troops in the colonies Many colonists were loyal subjects to Many colonists were loyal subjects to

the crown, but felt that the King and the crown, but felt that the King and Parliament had no right to control Parliament had no right to control their local affairstheir local affairs

Stamp Act of 1765 This was a new set of high taxes on

paper goods Tax stamps were required for certain

business agreements, all legal documents, newspapers, and even playing cards

Although the Act was repealed by Parliament, it stirred up some friction Mob violence and boycotts flared up

Boston Massacre (1770) Boston Tea Party (1773)

Liberty 1: 14:10-24:40

1774 – Intolerable Acts A new set of strict laws passed by

Parliament to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party

Liberty 2: 2:00-3:33

1st and 2nd Continental Congress

After the Intolerable Acts, delegates from every colony (except GA) met in Philadelphia (September, 1774) They composed a Declaration

of Rights and Grievances—a statement of complaints addressed to King George III

Liberty 2: 3:33-10:45

Met again in May 1775 By this time, the Revolutionary War had begun