Foundational Ideology of the
United States
Objectives
• Summarize the colonial, revolutionary, and founding-era
experiences and events that led to the writing, ratification, and
implementation of the Constitution
• Define and provide examples of foundational ideas of American
government, including natural rights philosophy, social contract,
popular sovereignty, constitutionalism, representative democracy,
political factions, federalism, and individual rights, which are
embedded in Founding-Era documents with examples
• Explain how a common and shared American civic identity is based
on commitment to foundational ideas in Founding-Era documents
and in core documents of subsequent periods of history
• Compare and contrast the ideas of the Federalists and the AntiFederalists regarding the respective roles of states and national
government on ratification
• Agreement Between the Settlers at New Plymouth : 1620
• IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. We, whose names are underwritten, the
Loyal Subjects of our dread Sovereign Lord King James, by the Grace of
God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith,
&c. Having undertaken for the Glory of God, and Advancement of the
Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to
plant the first Colony in the northern Parts of Virginia; Do by these
Presents, solemnly and mutually, in the Presence of God and one
another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil Body
Politick, for our better Ordering and Preservation, and Furtherance of
the Ends aforesaid: And by Virtue hereof do enact, constitute, and
frame, such just and equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and
Officers, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and
convenient for the general Good of the Colony; unto which we promise
all due Submission and Obedience. IN WITNESS whereof we have
hereunto subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the eleventh of November,
in the Reign of our Sovereign Lord King James, of England, France,
and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth, Anno
Domini; 1620.
Social Contract
The Mayflower Compact established a social contract
theory (Rousseau) in the newly formed colonies:
This basically was the 41 men that were on the ship agreeing
to a mutual form of government in exchange for mutual
protection
The 41 men agreed to be ruled by the majority opinion even if
they disagreed with the decision of the majority—this is a
vital piece of a democracy—we see the results of the lack of
this social contract theory in some of the newly democratic
Middle Eastern governments i.e. Syria, Iraq, Egypt
Politics of the Revolution
Politically the colonists objected to the policy by the British of
taxing the colonists without allowing governmental
representation. This may not have been a turning point issue
but it did ensure some level of democracy would be present
in the post revolution government
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Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence
The document itself is a little misleading as the war
for independence had already started—it acted more
as a justification of independence
The colonists listed grievances against the British many are
mentioned but we will focus on the six major grievances:
1. Taxation without representation
2. Using the judicial branch as a proxy of the King
Major Grievances Cont…
3. The use of standing armies in times of peace (a
form of authoritarian government
4. Forced colonial sailors to fight against the colonies
on behalf of the British Navy
5. Incited Native Americans to fight against the
colonies
6. The passing of the 5 Intolerable Acts
Articles of Confederation
The 2 major points to take away from the Articles of
Confederation are:
1. The colonists were concerned that a strong central
government would evolve in time to be similar to the British
Government—thus the Revolutionary War would have been
fought in vain
2. As a result of point #1 the central government ended up
being too weak for it to be successful—what issues would
arise if each state essentially held all of the power???
Problems with the Articles
Problems of a weak central
government?
1. Mutual defense ? ? ?
This was generally agreed as a responsibility of the federal
government—however—this brought up other questions in
regards to the role of the federal government:
How would it be paid for? ? ?
Who would serve? ? ?
How would alliances with other nations be built? ? ?
What would be used as currency? ? ?
Who would negotiate treaties? ? ?
PREAMBLE
We the people of the United States, in order
to form a more perfect union, establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for
the common defense, promote the general
welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and
establish this Constitution for the United
States of America.
Federalists
The Federalist Papers were written to garner support
for the ratification of the Constitution—they were all
published under pseudonym Publius—the actual
authors were Alexander Hamilton, James Madison,
and John Jay
FEDERALIST # 10
Anti-Federalists
Were opposed to the ratification of the Constitution
Were led by Thomas Paine, George Mason, James Winthrop—
tended to be dominated by the peoples of the newly settled
“western” United States
They believed that the greatest threat to the future of the
United States lay in the government's potential to become
corrupt and seize more and more power until its tyrannical
rule completely dominated the people. Having just succeeded
in rejecting what they saw as the tyranny of British power,
such threats were seen as a very real part of political life.
Anti Federalists
Believed that the greatest threat to the United States
was a large and invasive government. Probably best
compared to the contemporary TEA Party in their
beliefs
Influence of John Locke
The founding fathers relied heavily on the ideas
of John Locke:
1. Freedom of religion
2. Importance of private property
3. Influence of individualism over collectivism
Adam Smith
While the American Revolution was on-going an
English philosopher wrote a book called The Wealth
of Nations (1776)
The ideas presented in this book re-enforced the
founding fathers belief in individualism
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
CAPITALISM
ADAM SMITH TAUGHT US
ABOUT IT IN HIS BOOK
WEALTH OF NATIONS IN 1776
ORIGINS & HISTORY - 6 FACTS :
• INSPIRED BY THE ECONOMIC ABUSES OF
FEUDALISM & MONARCHIAL RULE
• THE ECONOMIC COMPONENT OF
ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHY
• ORIGINALLY CALLED LIBERALISM BECAUSE IT
PROMOTED INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES AND
FREEDOMS
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
CAPITALISM
ORIGINS & HISTORY - 6
FACTS :
• CAUSED THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TO
TAKE PLACE IN THE 1800 s > THE SECOND
GREATEST STANDARD OF LIVING INCREASE IN
HISTORY
• CAME UNDER ATTACK & FELL OUT OF FAVOR
IN THE EARLY 1900 s > LED TO ECONOMIC
STAGNATION & MASSIVE LOSSES OF
INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
CAPITALISM
ORIGINS & HISTORY - 6
FACTS :
• RETURNED TO FAVOR OVER THE PAST 27
YEARS AND HAS PRODUCED THE GREATEST
ADVANCEMENT IN GLOBAL PRODUCTIVITY
AND STANDARDS OF LIVING IN HISTORY !!!
THANKS TO
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
CAPITALISM
5 CHARACTERISTICS :
• ENCOURAGES FREEDOM , INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS ,
THE RULE OF LAW , AND DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
• PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF GOODS , PROPERTY ,
BUSINESSES , AND THE
FACTORS OF
PRODUCTION
• VOLUNTARY EXCHANGES OF MONEY , GOODS
, AND SERVICES
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
CAPITALISM
5 CHARACTERISTICS :
• ENCOURAGES COMPETITION AMONG
PRODUCERS
• BUSINESSES & CONSUMERS MAKE THE
DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT TO PRODUCE ,
HOW TO PRODUCE IT , AND WHO
CONSUMES IT > A POLICY OF
“ LAISSEZ
FAIRE ” IS FOLLOWED = LIMITED
GOVERNMENT INTERVENTION
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
CAPITALISM
THE 3 ADVANTAGES :
• ECONOMIC EFFICIENCY - ONLY THE ITEMS
CONSUMERS WANT GET PRODUCED , WHEN
THEY WANT THEM , & WITH PRICES AT THE
“ WILLING -NESS TO PAY ” THRESHOLD
• ECONOMIC FREEDOM - WORKERS WORK
WHERE THEY WANT, PRODU -CERS CAN
PRODUCE WHAT THEY WANT, AND
INDIVIDUALS CONSUME ….
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
CAPITALISM
THE 3 ADVANTAGES :
• …. WHAT THEY WANT
• ECONOMIC GROWTH - COMPETITION
ENCOURAGES INNOVATION > THE ONLY WAY
TO RAISE A SOCIETY’S STANDARD OF LIVING
THE 2 DISADVANTAGES :
• THE SYSTEM DOES NOT PROMOTE
EQUITY = EQUAL TREATMENT AND …..
GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS
CAPITALISM
THE 2 DISADVANTAGES :
• …. DOES NOT SPREAD WEALTH
EVENLY
• THE SYSTEM ENCOURAGES EXPLOIT –
ATION OF ALL RESOURCES