Development of Political Philosophy Powerability to act Authorityrecognized or accepted power Legitimacywhether or not it is legal, or right

Governments change due to political and economic concerns Is this system of government legitimate? Is it meeting our needs? Government Regulation provides a degree or predictability to every citizens day to day life.

Colonial Origins of American Philosophy

* Colony- owes allegiance to a nation state.

Who 1607- Farmers sent to establish a trading post (Jamestown)

Philosophical Base and Action Representative Assembly [people choose government] * Not a successful
beginning but a philosophical train of thought leading to gov. currently. * had the ability to make their own laws and elect officials.

1620- English Puritans [pilgrims]

Plymouth

Mayflower Compact [civil body politick]

men only, the people are the foundation of the government

1629- Puritans of Mass. Bay Co. First written constitutions [consent of the *The people must consent to being people]
governed

1639- Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Written constitution

1641- Mass. Body of Liberties Following century or so

Written constitution Each 13 colonies own written constitution

* All had their own government yet still were colonies of Great Britain logistically impossible for George to gov. effectively.

The Grievances Despite these constitutions, each colony was subject to its colonial master, Britain.
* The colonies were conservative and wanted to remain colonies of G.B.

King George III and Parliament viewed the colonies primarily as markets for goods Britain produced or purchased from its other colonies.
* Parliament could make laws for the colony

Colonists had no representatives in the British Parliament (Gov. beginning to be

viewed as illegitimate.

Taxes passed to help pay for protection of colonies.

Stamp Act 1765- Tax on playing cards, news papers, legal docs. Townsend Rev. Act 1767- Tea, Lead, Ink, Paper Tax repealed everything but tea. Dec 16th 1773 Boston Tea Party- G.B. ordered ports closed till debt was paid, no public meetings, and boarding soldiers in homes. Colony begins to import own products making the British economically redundant. G.B. taxed all tea except tea imported by the East India Co. (owned by British)

First Continental CongressSept.- Oct. 1774 In response to these takes [intolerable acts], several states proposed convening a colonial congress Actions1) send petitions to King George telling him they will raise their own troops [the minutemen] 2) boycott all British trade 3) county committees. proposition is REJECTED on grounds that the colonists could use the troops both offensively against British and also defensively. Colonies begin to act as a join unit.

Second Continental CongressMay 1775 Common Sense- January 1776 Action1) adopted army, 2) sought peaceful settlement July 6, 1775 March 1776, South Carolina created a new constitution declaring itself no longer a British Colony Resolution of Independence July 2, 1776

Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union [ratified March 1, 1781] 2 years following Declaration of Independence Firm League of Friendship One house Legislature No Single executive Virtually no internal responsibilities or authority External powers of war and peace Any amendment require approval of all member states