State Gov't example essay topic

Athens: Democracy-rule by the people Power in Council Leading the Council was oligarchy (small group of rulers who controlled the judicial, military, civil and religious functions of government) Oligarchy became powerful and passed laws for its benefit Farmers and merchants revolted Nobles saw the danger in the future, so they distributed land of the wealthy to the poor and it gave Assembly power to pass laws and elect gov't officials Direct democracy developed-more people had a say in gov't Beliefs: Majority rule (law making process and jury trials), all citizens equal Women, slaves and foreigners were not citizens- unable to be in gov't, poor could not afford education and there were lotteries rather than elections. Rome: Republic-representative democracy, one citizen represents a number of others Social structure: patricians (upper, landowners) and plebeians (lower, farmers) Each had lawmaking body, but only patrician Senate could pass laws Plebeians wanted greater role in gov't-they were allowed to hold gov't posts Beliefs: lawmaking bodies on state and local levels, all free men have equal rights, innocent until proven guilty, certain rights can never be taken away Contributions: system of laws- patrician judges made unfair decisions, therefore, laws were written down to handle similar cases similarly English Traditions: "cultural baggage"-brought traditions of England to America Common Law-judicial decisions standardized-judges look back on past similar cases Precedents-previous decisions and local customs of people-same decisions applied for all- this is today's basic legal procedure-cite past cases to prove theirs Magna Carta (1215) -king not above law, trial by jury (peers), speedy trial, protections from unjust punishment Parliament-English lawmaking and rep. Body. Parliament grew in power because monarchs need money-this idea was that of limiting power within gov't through three branches Bill of Rights (1689) -monarch must have consent of people, through their rep. in parliament, in order to tax and change laws European Philosophers: John Locke-natural rights (people were born with life, liberty, and property), when gov't established, there is a social contract btw n. the people and gov't, if the gov't does not meet needs of people, people can form new gov't. -ideas incorporated in DI Montesquieu-French-no one person was allowed to make, enforce or interpret laws in England's gov't. Believed division of power prevented abuse- ideas in Constitution for separation of power Rousseau-French-people had right to determine how they should be governed and not some tyrant Colonial Influence: Mercantilism-nation trying to export more than import-solely for benefit of mother country. This would help mother country strengthen treasury and build military.

In return, colonies got protection. House of Burgesses (1619) -king instructed colonies to setup own assembly-helped with two foundation of American gov't, (1) rep. were elected from own community and (2) Americans had chance to experience rep. gov't. and solved own problems Mayflower Compact-by the pilgrims-Americans live under a gov't of their choosing, direct democracy, majority rule, laws should treat all fairly Fundamental Orders of CT. -consent of governed, majority rule, protection of minority rights Colonial gov't- bicameral legislature-colonial assembly (house of commons), colonial council (house of lords). -both houses more concerned for colonial matters-king did not like it French and Indian War- France wanted Ohio River Valley-England helped American defend it-after war, England had problems-could not afford to send more troops to protect settlers in new land, therefore, they made it illegal to settle in new land Salutary neglect-not over-regulating the colonies as long as mercantilism is followed-after FEW, England could not afford such loose system of governing AR causes-Americans 3,000 miles away from England-they had to depend on themselves, England made Americans work to benefit England, not colonies, also burden of taxes and trading rules DI: England sent Hessians (professional German soldiers) to attack colonies, they also withdrew its protection from colonies (open to Indian attacks) Loyalists and Torres-king Patriots and Traders-colonies Common Sense-Thomas Paine, sold 120,000, showed divisions between England and colonies and how it was 3,000 miles away Jefferson-DI-July 4, 1776 DI purposes-theory of gov't, list of grievances, Dec. of war TG-all men are created equal, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. People made gov't and they could abolish it. Gov't can govern from consent of governed LG-blame on King-made those who were on kings side on Americas side-showed the connection between England and America was only the tyrannical king, did not talk about parliament Confederation: Unitary system: strong centralized gov't-only they can make laws Governors and judges-limited to terms and limited veto power Confederation-loos association of independent states bound for particular purpose AC-bounded 13 colonies for common purpose-defense and welfare Congress-coin money, borrow money, treaties, make war and peace Post ives of AC-gov't waged successful war and peace-US got NW Territory. Land Ordinance of 1785- divided land into townships and each further divided and auctioned off for $1 an acre-proceeds went to public schools Negative-Congress- no power to tax of regulate trade-therefore, gov't could not pay off debts from AR. - states placed tariffs on good imported from other states hoping to protect sale of own products-resulted in trade wars in ill feelings Shay's Rebellion-farmers rebelling (2,000) against state gov't because governor was insensitive-this event ran doubts in others- is America one nation or thirteen?