Topics Covered Chapter 1: - Theories of rule -rulers have legitimacy-seen as right and proper by important segments of a nations population Divine Right • Rulers chosen by God or gods—major source of legitimacy • Rulers claim power comes from God/gods to increase absolute power Natural Law and Natural Rights • Natural law—system of rules derived from the natural world • Provides just and rational order to all things in world, everyone possesses natural rights (human rights) • Legitimate governments (supposedly) do not violate natural law) The Social Contract • Social Contract theory—first governments formed as result of people agreeing to submit to authority of state, in return state provides people with protection and support • Gov is legitimate only as long as parties give their power to state • Thomas Hobbes talks about it in Leviathan, his book • The state has lots of power because it has all the power people gave up • John Locke—sees gov as result of social contract, emphasized people’s natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), people governed by natural law, power must be limited to protect natural rights • Jean-Jacques Rousseau—people lived happy lives but societies and government corrupts lives and makes them unhappy (introduced inequality), proposes people establish gov based on social contract and connected to “general will” - Forms of government - 1. Monarchy > Example: Jordan > Ruled by a monarch, usually king/queen, who belongs to a royal family > Power is inherited > Absolute monarchs have unlimited power 2. Constitutional Monarchy > Example: United Kingdom > based on the idea that there are limits to the rightful power of the government over its citizens > power of the monarch is limited by law > may coexist with other forms of government such as a representative democracy 3. Dictatorship > example: Cuba > single dictator or small group holds absolute authority to make all decisions > violence and force used to maintain rule 4. Tolatarian Regime > Example: North Korea >dictator holds ultimate authority > the gov tightly controls all aspects of life- political, social, economic > no formal or informal limits on government - 5. Oligarchy/Aristocracy >Example: Ancient Greece {Sparta) > small group of powerful people make most government decisions for their own benefit > membership in ruling group may be based on wealth, family, or military power - A. Worth of the Indvidual a. All people are created equal and deserve an opportunity to pursue their potential. b. Individual freedom, personal responsibility, self-reliance, and individual achievement. B. Rule of Law a. Government is subject to recognized and enforced limits. C. Majority Rule/Minority Rights a. Majority rules but the rights of the policial minority are protected. b. More than half of votes. c. Not too much power to any one group (Framers). d. All people, popular or not, have right to express opinions. D. Compromise a. Despite their differences, opposing groups can reach agreement to resolve conflicts. E. Citizen Participation a. A healthy democracy requires active citizen participation at all levels. 6. Theocracy > example: Iran > rulers claim to represent and be directed by a set of religious ideas > laws are rooted in a particular religion or religious doctrine > government power is unlimited 7. Direct Democracy > Athens > citizens are ultimate source of government authority > citizens come together and discuss and pass laws and select leaders > works best in small communities 8. Republican/Representative Democracy > example: united states > government by the people > indirect form of democracy > citizens elect representatives to make government decisions on their behalf > representatives elected for set terms - Principles of American Democracy Chapter 2: - Events leading to independence Early attempts at unity: • First attempt was New England Confederation. Colonies were: Plymouth, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Haven. Purpose was to defend against threats from Native Americans and nearby Dutch colonies. Ended 40 years later • Second attempt was French and Indian War. Simulated more thoughts of unity amongst colonies. British vs French. Colonies urged to sign treaty with the Iroquois Confederation, active for 200 years. • 3rd attempt Benjamin Franklin—> Albany Plan of Union, required a council of representatives, president general appointed by king that had the power to control trade, raise armies, build settlements, and equip fleets. PLAN WAS REJECTED, gave too much king power, basic draft of constitution. Growing Tension • King George III tightened reigns • Colonists handle their own affairs • Loyal subjects • Parliament worried Changes in British Policies • French and Indian War was costly to Britain, which resulted in British being in debt • Parliament looked to the colonies as revenue • King George taxes colonists • 1764, Sugar Act- taxed sugar to make Britain have less debt • “No taxation without representation” The Stamp Act • 1765, Stamp Act- an act that required a government tax stamp on paper goods and all legal documents • Forcing stamp agents out of office (mocking) • 1766 (repealed Stamp Act) • More taxes • Resistance groups begin Colonial Protests • March 5, 1770 Boston Massacre • 1772, Sam Adams forms the Committees of Correspondence • December 16, 1773, The Boston Tea Party ❖ A group of colonists boarded 3 British ships and dumped the ships tea cargo into the Boston Harbor Congress’ Response to the Colonists • 1774, Intolerable Acts was passed which closed the Boston Harbor and ended all forms of “self-rule” • Called for housing of troops in private homes Continental Congress • Virginia and Massachusetts assemblies called for a general meeting of the colonies to be held in Philly The First Continental Congress • First Continental Congress (fall of 1774) • Declaration of Resolves sent to king ❖ Demanded repeal of Intolerable Acts, end to British military occupation, and power to impose own tax laws • Congress called for a boycott of British goods • April 1775, British troops clashed with colonial militia at Lexington and Concord in Massachusetts • Clash called “the shot heard’ round the world” The Second Continental Congress • • • • • • • • • • - 3 weeks after Lexington and Concord, met in Philly 12 out of 13 representatives for colonies Organize a ragtag militia around Boston into an official Continental Army Unanimous vote, delegates then made George Washington its commander 1775 congress a final report to King George III, he refused to read it August 23, proclaimed American colonists (full state of rebellion) “Suppress such rebellion, and to bring the traitors to justice.” Revolutionary war underway, congress took role of government Congress raised troops, borrowed money, sent diplomats to Europe and created a monetary system Colonies declared independent from Britain - Declaration of Independence - Created a new government. Showed that the U.S was Independent from England. Wanted different rights and types of government than the English monarchy. 1)Individual Rights: ▪ life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 2) Type of Government: ▪ Self Government o Republican government with strong legislature o Voting rights differed from state to state ▪ Limited Government o Careful not to grant unlimited power to their legislative bodies o Checks and balances on legislative power • Annual elections • Term limits • Separation of powers o Feared that a strong executive might undermine a republic 3)Role of Government: ▪ Protect people’s rights ▪ Maintain order ▪ Ensure national security ▪ Resolve conflicts ▪ Provide services ▪ Provide for the public good - 1. Rights 2. Type of government 3. Government role - Articles of Confederation - - The articles of confederation was the first attempt at creating a constitution for the United States. The Articles limit the government and they failed. The restrictions and rules put in place by the Articles were destined to fail and create a weakened country. Under the Articles, there was no separate executive branch. This caused no ability to enforce laws made by Congress. There was also no national court system. This caused there to be an inability to apply national laws and settle issues between the states. Third issue was that there was no power to tax. This caused many issues on its own. The government couldn’t raise armies because of the lack of funds, there was no power to regulate trade, and there was no exclusive power to coin money. - Great compromise