Early Democratic Developments in America
First representative assembly in America; beginning of representative government in America
Virginia House of Burgesses
The agreement provided for majority rule among the settlers (excluding servants and seamen) and became an important seed of democracy. Adult male settlers assembled to make laws and conduct open discussion town meetings
Originally friendly; early colonists relied
on Native Americans for trade and for help with survival. eventually greed for land led to major conflicts with Indians.
Britain formally recognized U.S. independence. Granted the U.S. huge boundaries stretching to the Mississippi River in the west, the Great Lakes in the north, and to Spanish Florida in the south
American concessions: Loyalists could not be further persecuted. Congress was to recommend to state legislatures that confiscated Loyalist property be restored. American states were bound to pay back British creditors for pre-revolutionary debts.
Proposed by Benjamin Franklin, the plan would have created an intercolonial congress. It was rejected by Britain for giving too much control to the colonies and rejected by the colonies fearing an oppressive colonial congress.
He is credited with starting the Great Awakening in 1734 and the most influential theological writer and thinker of the movement; some of his sermons were read worldwide. He blasted the idea of salvation through free will (arminianism); emphasized eternal damnation in his most famous sermon, wrote "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" (1741)
Jonathan Edwards
the fur trade proved to be more lucrative.
Amerindian alliance against whites in the Ohio Valley and Great Lakes region in 1763. 9 of 11 British forts were taken and several were wiped out
Set up by the Second Continental Congress in order to create a permanent and constitutional government in 1781. There was no executive or judicial branch. Congress had power to conduct war, handle foreign relations, and borrow money. In addition, it had no power to regulate trade, conscript troops, or levy taxes.
These boys! Western Pennsylvanians (Scots Irish) rebelled against gov’t believing gov’t was not doing enough to protect them from Amerindian attacks.
Penn allowed religious toleration among many denominations in Pennsylvania Pennsylvania became the best advertised of all the colonies. Pamphlets were distributed in England, Netherlands, France, and Germany. Promised cheap land, freedom of religion, and representative
government.
Distance from England and a frugal Parliament allowed colonists to set up local governments and representative assemblies and to tax themselves.
Perhaps the single most important event leading to the American Revolution Purpose: Raise revenues to support new British military forces in the colonies
She privately implored her husband, to “remember the ladies” when creating a new gov’t. but she was not the only strong women in this era. In the 1760s and 1770s women participated in anti-British riots and formed the Daughters of Liberty (a female version of the Sons of Liberty). A few even participated in the war itself. Deborah Sampson dressed up as a male and fought in the army until she was wounded. Mary Ludwig Hays took over loading her husband’s canon after he collapsed.
American political thought was influenced by Locke's natural rights philosophy (including consent of the governed) and Montesquieu's views on checks and balances.
1720s to 1790s, The Enlightenment
Crown-sponsored conquests gained riches for Spain and expanded its empire. Most of the southern and southwestern regions claimed, as well as sections of the California coast. Settlements include St. Augustine, Florida (1565); Santa Fe, New Mexico (1610); and numerous cities in Texas and California.
n (written largely by John Dickinson) Last ditch effort by moderates in the Continental Congress to prevent an all-out war Again, pledged loyalty to the crown; sought to restore peace Appealed to George III to convince Parliament to reconsider the “Intolerable Acts” King George III refused to recognize Congress; the war raged on
Washington Precedent: Consulting of cabinet members (department heads) in order to make decisions. The Constitution does not mention a cabinet The cabinet has become an integral part of the presidency Name the first four cabinet positions
Secretary of Treasury
Secretary of War
Attorney General
A colonial jury found JZ innocent of libel against New York's governor. This is an important first step towards freedom of the press. He makes some witty comments during his trial
How were the Puritan immigrants important to the growth of democracy in the New World?
Significance of New England Confederation-First step towards colonial unity and democracy
Colonies were fully subject to the crown. There were no political rights or representative government, and public meetings could not be held without permission.
Main ideas of this text: Britain's colonial policies were inconsistent; independence was the only course. Nowhere in the physical universe did a smaller heavenly body control a larger one. Why should tiny England control huge North America?
It persuaded Congress to go all in for independence. a. The colonies could not hope for aid from France unless they officially declared their independence. b. France would not have been interested in colonial reconstruction under Britain.
Organized the Supreme Court with a chief justice (John Jay) and five associates Organized federal district and circuit courts. Established the office of attorney general