Social Studies Concept Sheet
U.S. HISTORY 8.3: THE AMERICAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
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State Constitutions: As the Declaration of Independence was being drafted, states began preparing state
Constitutions to replace colonial charters. The new state constitutions incorporated the new American
ideals of life, liberty, and property, as well as popular sovereignty (people rule). State constitutions
become the precursors to the U.S. Constitution.
Systems of Government: The state legislatures were bicameral (Two House), the chief executives were
governors, and state courts and judges interpreted law. Virginia’s constitution became the most
significant model for the U.S. Constitution.
Preserving Rights: Power was maintained by the people through the right of voting and holding frequent
popular elections. Most states required a 21 yr. old voting age, a land owning or tax paying status, and
some states allowed free African American men to vote. Most state constitutions included a bill of
rights, which preserved freedoms and legal protections, like protection of personal property and trial by
jury, all borrowed from the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights.
Manumission: The freeing of individual enslaved persons, this practice began after the war for liberty and
individual freedoms. The north did not rely on slavery and began passing laws outlawing slavery.
Southern plantations relied on slavery and refused to outlaw it. Slavery becomes the uncompromiseable
issue eventually tearing apart the U.S.
Ordinance of 1785: A law that established a procedure to survey and sell western lands, it divided the land
into local governmental units, called townships, 6 mi. x 6 mi., divided into 36 sections of 640 acres, to
be sold a public auction for at least $1 an acre.
Northwest Ordinance 1787: Divided land north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River into 3-5
smaller territories. At a population of 60,000, the people could petition Congress to become a state. It
included a clause, stating that there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the
territory (The United States’ first attempt to stop the spread of slavery).
Common Market: Under the Articles of Confederation, states would interfere with one another’s trade by
charging tariffs or outlawing products from other states. Under the goal of promoting the general
welfare, the Constitution allowed the new government to create one large common market, preventing
individual states from acting as separate nations (different currency, import tariffs, trade embargos).
Hamilton vs. Jefferson: As the new nation began, it faced a national debt from borrowing money from
Americans and foreign countries to pay for the war against Britain. Alexander Hamilton and other
federalists believed in a government that could raise money from taxes and pay back those who
paid for the war. Hamilton also proposed a national bank to hold federally collected tax money and
offer loans. Thomas Jefferson and other democratic republicans opposed paying back the debt
because the south was not owed as much as the north. They also opposed a national bank, thinking
rich bankers would have too much power over the country’s finances. These differences, over the issues
of debt, taxing and a national bank, solidified two very different political parties.
Two Political Parties: The Federalist Party believed in a strong, well-functioning federal government that
could handle the obligations of maintaining a national defense, a national economy, and promote the
general welfare of the nation as a whole. The Federalists believed in representative government, not
trusting the ability of an uneducated public to serve in government positions. The Federalists were
responsible for the strength of the new Constitution and the first two U.S. presidents. The Democratic
Republican Party believed in strong state governments that function more like separate nations with
the freedom to manage governmental issues on their own level. Republicans believed that average
citizens serving in government positions would be the only way to protect the liberty of ordinary
people. The Republican Party was responsible for the addition of the Bill of Rights to the National
Constitution.
John Adams: John Adams became the second president of the U.S. as a Federalist and proposed laws to
protect the Federalist Party and their belief in being allies with the British. Most immigrants at the time
supported the ideals of the French Revolution against monarchy and tended to support the Republican
Party against favoring the British. The Alien Acts required 14 yrs of residency, instead of 5 yrs, before
obtaining citizenship, and allowed the President to imprison or expel those he considered dangerous.
The Sedition Act made it a crime to criticize the government, denying freedom of speech. This
treatment of Americans and immigrants backfired against the Federalist Party in the next elections.
Domestic Resistance Movements:
Shay’s Rebellion: During the post war depression, states levied taxes against farmers to pay war
debts. They seized farms and jailed evaders. After petitioning the state government in failure,
angry farmers led by Daniel Shay forced courts closed and tried to seize the federal arsenal. The
rebellion was stopped by state militia, but worried national leaders about controlling unrest and
violence under the failing Articles of Confederation.
Whiskey Rebellion: Wheat farmers in the West made whiskey to sell in the East because the lack of
roads and canals made it difficult to transport lots of wheat. In 1791 both houses of Congress
approved a special tax on alcoholic beverages to help pay the national debt. Farmers
revolted, attacking tax collectors and burning down buildings. Under the new Constitution, the
Executive Branch had the power to use the military to enforce the law and put down the
rebellion in 1794. Citizens now understood that changing the law must be done peacefully by
proposing different legislation or using the court system.
Law-making Process: First, the President or congressional representatives propose a law. Second, a bill is
written and introduced in the House and the Senate. Third, the bill is sent to House and Senate
committees that hold hearings, make changes, and eventually recommend passage. Fourth, the two
houses debate and vote to pass the bill. Fifth, if passed by both houses, a single bill is reconciled
(compromised) by both houses. Sixth, the bill is sent to the President to sign into law. Seventh, if
vetoed by the President, the bill can still become law if it passes a 2/3 vote in both the House and
Senate.
Civil Duties: Things we are required to do by law.
(1) Obey the law. Law helps maintain order; protect health, safety, and property of citizens; and make
it possible for people to live together peacefully.
(2) Pay taxes. The government cannot provide services without money. Everyone is required to pay
their fair share for the benefits of a well defended country, health insurance for elderly, roads,
bridges, etc.
(3) Defend the nation. Every citizen is expected to defend the country is necessary. The law requires
all males 18yrs. old to register with the United States government for the purpose of being
drafted if necessary in a time of war.
(4) Serve as a juror. The right to a trial by an impartial jury requires that all citizens participate in the
judicial process as a juror, just as you may need a jury when on trial.
Civil Responsibilities: Civic responsibilities are not required or punishable by law, but the quality of our
government and our lives will diminish if our responsibilities are not carried out.
(1) Stay informed of what our government is doing, voice your opinion to representatives, and VOTE!
(2) Know your rights and exercise them when necessary!
(3) Take responsibility for your actions, support your family, participate in your community!
Elections, political parties, interest groups: Elections are the main tool for the public to influence
government. It is no wonder that our forefathers preferred representative law-making and the electoral
college. Both are systems to prevent the public from exercising direct (true) democracy. The public
cannot directly vote on any laws being proposed in Congress; their representatives only have the power
to do that. The same is true in voting for president; electors vote in place of the public.
Choosing electors is left to the states to determine. In the first few presidential elections, the state
legislatures chose the electors. Soon, states allowed the public to vote for electors; the majority of votes
now gives all electoral votes for an individual state to the majority candidate. The number of electors
for each state depends on the states population. Presidential candidates must win a majority of electoral
votes out of all the states in the union to become president. Electors are not required to vote for their
candidate.
Until the Twelfth Amendment, whoever received the second highest number of votes became vice
president. The Twelfth Amendment calls for the voting of president and vice-president to be separate
ballot choices. Political parties soon developed a candidate selection method so that their party would
have a presidential candidate and vice-presidential candidate running together on the same ballot.
Beginning with Andrew Jackson’s presidential run, candidates were chosen by state elected delegates.
Prior to this election, they were chosen by a political party caucus (or private group who was highly
influenced by the rich and special interest groups).
Free Press: Freedom of the press is a First Amendment right, protecting the idea that a well-informed public is
the core element of a representative democracy. In the 1733 case of John Peter Zenger, he had printed
statements accusing New York’s royal governor of corruption. A jury found him not guilty, based on
the British basic right of free speech. People must know the truth about who political candidates are and
what they have done in order to make the best choice when voting.