说明讲稿大二下democwk

1、Seeds of DemocracyAs we mentioned in the previous class, although Athens is credited with the early creation of democracy, it is the Roman model of a Republic which was preferred by the Founding Fathers.This would cause them to design a government that limits direct participation.Seeds of DemocracyB

2、esides looking to the Romans and the Greeks, remember that the Colonists also took inspiration from British custom and institutions.Such things as elective kingship, the hundreds, parliaments, and Magna Carta were a part of the cultural tradition of English settlers from the time they arrived in the

3、 new landSeeds of DemocracyWhile the old forms played a very large role in shaping the way that American government would develop, we must also remember that many features were a product of the experiences and practices of settlers after they arrived in America. American democracy, then, is as much

4、a new invention as it is a changing of an old form.Seeds of DemocracyNew England governments were based in a compact, a document that binds 2 or more people or groups to certain rulesThese Puritan settlers believed the legal relationship between people reflected the agreements between humanity and G

5、od.Seeds of DemocracyThere were other colonies based on a charter, a document the King gave to companies so they could legally take wealth from the New World.The Massachusetts Bay company is an example of this. They are noteworthy because the stockholders in England agreed to let the colonial govern

6、ment control itself.Seeds of DemocracyOther colonies were based in a royal grant. If, for example, the King owed favors to a powerful lord, he would give them land and governing rights in a part of America. This party would have almost total power in their land.Examples of these proprietary colonies

7、 include Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the Carolinas.Seeds of DemocracySince these proprietary colony leaders had powers much like a king, they copied many of the British government institutions, including a bicameral legislature.This is a lawmaking body that has two separate “ho

8、uses”. The upper house members might be appointed by the proprietor, and the lower house members were chosen by the voters.Seeds of DemocracyThe colonial legislatures wanted to practice certain rights, such as the ability to choose their own members, and to control their own laws, taxes, and expendi

9、tures. The colonists saw these as their rights as English citizens.The British Parliament, however, thought it was the only appropriate government body for the whole nation, and that the colonies had no sovereignty, or independent right to government.Seeds of DemocracyMost colonies were chiefly cont

10、rolled by a governor, often chosen by the Crown. They could choose other officials, control the military, assemble the legislature and dismiss it, and create courts.The kind of powers the governors controlled are reflected in the modern-day presidency.Seeds of DemocracyThere were frequent arguments

11、between the governors (as representatives of the Crown) and the colonial assemblies.The colonists saw many advantages in spreading different kinds of power among branches of government, rather than placing all powers in 1 leader.They were influenced by the writings of the French philosopher Charles

12、de Montesquieu. Seeds of DemocracyBesides the self-government practices of the early Americans, American democracy also developed uniquely because of social theories.One of the most important theories was that of the “social contract.” Social contract thinkers wanted to examine the ways of people be

13、fore they have government in order to better understand human nature.Seeds of DemocracyThomas Hobbes, who wrote Leviathan, believed that people in the natural condition were always fighting each other for power, and that their life was not free or secure.People needed an authoritarian leader to crea

14、te order and thus a better life.Nevertheless, he also thought that the power of the “sovereign” must be recorded in law, and that all must receive equal treatment from the law.Seeds of DemocracyJohn Locke, another social contract theorist, disagreed with both Hobbess ideas and the idea of “divine ri

15、ght to rule”.Locke believed that certain rights already existed in the natural state, and it was the task of government to make sure people didnt lose these natural rights. They included the right to life, liberty, and property.Seeds of DemocracyLocke also was in favor of limited government, which m

16、eant that the powers of the government should be clearly outlined and controlled, and that it not interfere in the private lives of citizens.Locke was a supporter of a strong legislature, whereas Hobbes wanted the executive (king) to have most of the power. Seeds of Democracy Both Locke and Hobbes b

17、elieved that if the government acted against the interests of the people, it broke the “social contract,” and then people had the right to remove the leader and choose a new government.In Lockes system, the government was strong enough to protect people and property, but not strong enough to limit t

18、heir liberty.Seeds of DemocracyMany of Lockes ideas are directly implemented in important American governmental documents, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.What makes America different than Europe at this point is that, in Europe, the ideas of these t

19、heorists were only for interesting conversation, but in America people actively experimented with the ideas and tried to create them in the world.Moving Toward a UnionFrom the 1750s onward, various forces were threatening the stability of the colonies, which led to increased conversation about the n

20、eed to work together more and have some kind of centralized cooperation.These threats included the hostility of various Native American groups, and the possibility of war with Frances American possessions.Moving Toward a UnionIn 1754, Benjamin Franklin proposed a plan for a confederation. This is a

21、group of independent states that sends representatives to a central government for selected issues.This plan would establish a grand council to make decisions regarding lawmaking, taxes, and defense. It would also have a president appointed by the crown.Moving Toward a UnionWhile his plan was approv

22、ed at the meeting where it was introduced, the colonial assemblies rejected it because it gave the Crown too much power.The Crown also rejected it, believing that it actually gave too much authority to the colonists.Part of Franklins plan would later reappear in the Articles of Confederation. Causes

23、 of RebellionThe British had long been fighting wars with France in the New World. In 1763, at the end of the French and Indian war, France withdrew from the Americas.Before this, Britain only wanted to use the colonies for raw materials and as a market for its goods. Now it hoped to have increased

24、military and political control of the region.Causes of RebellionBritain now permanently stationed a sizable number of soldiers at the American frontier. To support this new army, the British wished to tax the Americans in several new ways.This was considered unacceptable by the colonists, as they we

25、re not consulted, and did not have any representatives in the British parliament.This was a major part of why the colonies later fought the king for independence.Causes of RebellionWith the Sugar Act of 1764, the British wished to start taxing imported refined sugar, as well as other goods previousl

26、y untaxed. The Stamp Act of 1765 said that any printed document or certificate in the colonies should have a paid-for stamp placed on it (newspapers, contracts, college diplomas, etc). Causes of RebellionAlthough the Stamp Act was scheduled to be official on November 1, 1765, people already began pr

27、otesting it in the summer of 1765.The colonists argued that because they had no representatives in Parliament, the British had no right to tax them.Causes of RebellionThe British argue that the members of Parliament already represent and take care of all British lands and people, wherever they may b

28、e. The colonists, however, with their new decision-making traditions, as well as their new governmental ideas like limited government and the importance of social contracts, thought that Parliament was trying to claim powers that violated the natural rights of people Causes of RebellionWhile the Sta

29、mp Act was removed in 1766, Parliament also passed the Declaratory Act, which said the King and Parliament could make laws for the New World that would always be binding.Causes of RebellionParliament Passed the Townshend Revenue Act in 1767. This was to tax many other goods imported into America (te

30、a, lead, glass), and to pay the salary of governors and other officers. The strength of the colonial assemblies would be weakened, as they had previously paid these officialsThe unpopularity of this act led to numerous mob actions and boycotts. Causes of RebellionOn March 5, 1770, in Boston, Massach

31、usetts, British soldiers shot into a crowd that was harassing them, killing 5 colonists. This caused many more public actions and protests to take place, and soon all of the taxes but the tea tax were removed.Having won the victory over the taxes, the colonists quickly realized how weak the power of

32、 the King was in AmericaCauses of RebellionSamuel Adams, in 1772, formed the Boson Committee of Correspondence, which communicated with the other colonies and outside countries about the danger of Britain closing down colonial legislatures and taking away freedoms.Similar groups soon formed in other

33、 colonies. Causes of RebellionBecause of the Townshend Act tax on tea, the colonists had been smuggling cheaper tea into America made by other countries.This made it hard for the British East India Company to sell its own tea, so Parliament allowed them to sell their product to colonists very cheapl

34、y.Causes of RebellionMany people from the colonies were upset, as their own merchants would lose business, and also because Parliament might do the same with other commodities.On December 16, 1773, as a protest, colonists dressed as Native Americans dumped 342 boxes of tea from boats into the harbor

35、. This event came to be known as the Boston Tea Party. Causes of RebellionAs punishment for the Tea Party, the King had the Intolerable Acts created. The effects of this act included the closing of Boston Harbor, British soldiers quartering (living) in private homes, and appointing a military govern

36、or who could search homes and limit public meetings.This only inspired the colonists to cooperate more with other colonies and to fight even harder against the crownBeginnings of a New GovernmentAlthough the fighting with the King initially began over taxes, it soon made clear a more important disag

37、reement between the colonists and the British. The British wanted more order and stability, whereas the Americans wanted more freedom.Beginnings of a New GovernmentOn September 5, 1774, representatives of all colonies but Georgia held the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia. They wanted to re

38、gain peace with England but still have the same rights as other English citizens.It issued the Declaration of American Rights, which claimed the colonies right to decide matters of taxation as well as full rights for individuals and communities.Beginnings of a New GovernmentThe Congress also declare

39、d the Intolerable Acts null and void, planned for defense against England, and decided to meet again in May 1775 if their rights were not restored.At this point, most people did not want war with England.Beginnings of a New GovernmentOn April 18, 1775, British forces near Boston marched toward Conco

40、rd to destroy ammunition and gunpowder the colonists had been gathering. American “minutemen” began fighting them along the way, and at Concord a great shooting battle took place. This is considered the beginning of the War of Independence.Beginnings of a New GovernmentThis event is remembered by Am

41、ericas schoolchildren primarily because of Paul Reveres legendary nighttime horse ride to warn about the approaching British soldiers.Beginnings of a New GovernmentOn May 10, 1775, the Second Continental Congress met, and, because of the emergency situation, took control of government. It selected G

42、eorge Washington as head of the new army, which was forced to do battle with the British on June 17 at Bunker Hill.Though the congress at this point tried to make peace with the King and Parliament, the offer was rejected, and war was unavoidable.Beginnings of a New GovernmentAround this time a very famous pamphlet was being distributed which questioned the right of kings to have power, and concluded America must be independent. Thomas Paines Common Sense was extremely influential in the colonies, as over 150,000