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POL/115 v3 Week 1 Assignment Worksheet POL/115 v3 POL/115 Week 1 Assignment Influences on the Founding of the United States of America Complete each section of the matrix below. Include APA citations for all unoriginal ideas, facts, or definitions. Documents In 2-3 sentences, provide a brief summary of each document, and discuss each document’s significance or influence on the values of the American political culture or the ideas for the structure and organization of the U.S. Federal Government. Magna Carta Mayflower Compact Declaration of Independence Articles of Confederation The Virginia Plan The New Jersey Plan The Connecticut Plan The U.S.
Constitution The Bill of Rights Philosophers In 2-3 sentences, provide a brief summary of who each philosopher was, and discuss how each philosopher’s writings and ideas influenced the founding fathers as they developed the values of American political culture and the nature and structure of the U.S. system of government. Thomas Hobbes John Locke Montesquieu Selected Founders In 2-3 sentences, provide a brief summary of who each founding father was, and discuss the role of each person in the establishment of the United States of America and its system of government. Benjamin Franklin Alexander Hamilton George Washington Thomas Jefferson James Madison John Adams Political Factions In 2-3 sentences, provide a brief explanation of each of these factions, and discuss how each viewed the power and scope of the U.S.
Federal government. Federalists Anti-Federalists Types of Democracy In 2-3 sentences, discuss the characteristics and principles of each type of government, and describe how (if at all) those principles are used in the structure of the U.S. system of government. Representative Democracy Direct Democracy Concepts In 2-3 sentences, describe how each of these concepts exists in the organization of the U.S. federal government, and discuss why this concept is important in a representative democracy. Separation of Powers Checks and Balances
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Documents
| Document | Summary and Significance |
|-------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Magna Carta | The Magna Carta, signed in 1215, was a pivotal document in English history that limited the powers of the king and established the principle of the rule of law. Its significance lies in its influence on American political culture, particularly in the establishment of legal rights and civil liberties, which were later enshrined in the U.S. Constitution (McKean, 2016). |
| Mayflower Compact | The Mayflower Compact was signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower. It established a rudimentary form of self-governance based on majority rule. This document is significant as it reflected the early American values of democracy and consent of the governed, influencing later democratic practices (Anderson, 2018). |
| Declaration of Independence | Drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, this document declared the American colonies free from British rule. It articulated fundamental principles of individual liberty and government responsibility, reflecting the Enlightenment ideals that shaped American political culture and affirming the right to revolution (Wood, 2018). |
| Articles of Confederation | The first governing document of the United States, ratified in 1781, created a loose confederation of independent states. Although it ultimately proved ineffective due to its lack of a strong central government, it highlighted the necessity for a more robust federal framework, leading to the Constitutional Convention (Tully, 2019). |
| The Virginia Plan | Proposed at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the Virginia Plan suggested a strong national government with a bicameral legislature based on population. Its significance lies in the promotion of a federal structure and bigger representation for populous states, shaping the political landscape of the U.S. (Farrand, 2018). |
| The New Jersey Plan | In response to the Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan advocated for a unicameral legislature with equal representation for each state, reflecting the interests of smaller states. It emphasized the importance of state sovereignty and contributed to the debates that ultimately shaped Congress (Cox, 2017). |
| The Connecticut Plan | Also known as the Great Compromise, it merged elements from both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans, creating a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other. This compromise was crucial in ensuring the participation of both large and small states in the new government (Ober, 2019). |
| The U.S. Constitution | Ratified in 1788, this document established the foundation of the U.S. federal government, outlining its structure, powers, and limitations. It is significant for creating a system based on democracy, federalism, and separation of powers, which have molded American political culture (Kernell, 2021). |
| The Bill of Rights | Ratified in 1791, the Bill of Rights is a collection of the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and liberties. Its significance lies in its role in protecting citizens from government overreach, reinforcing the fundamental American values of individual freedom and justice (Levy, 2020). |
Philosophers
| Philosopher | Summary and Influence |
|---------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Thomas Hobbes | An English philosopher known for his work "Leviathan," Hobbes argued for absolute sovereignty as a necessary means to prevent chaos and war among humans. His ideas on the social contract influenced the Founding Fathers in recognizing the need for a strong government to maintain order and security (Fukuyama, 2019). |
| John Locke | A prominent Enlightenment thinker, Locke's theories emphasized natural rights, life, liberty, and property, and the notion of government as a social contract intended to protect those rights. His concepts of individual rights and government accountability were fundamental to the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution (Mansueto, 2018). |
| Montesquieu | Montesquieu was a French political philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers within government. His seminal work, "The Spirit of the Laws," significantly influenced American political thought, particularly the structure of the U.S. government, which adopted a system of checks and balances (Jones, 2017). |
Selected Founders
| Founder | Summary and Role |
|---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Benjamin Franklin | A statesman, inventor, and diplomat, Franklin was influential in advocating for colonial unity and played a key role in drafting the Declaration of Independence. His diplomatic efforts in securing French support during the Revolutionary War were crucial for American independence (Boyer, 2019). |
| Alexander Hamilton | As a leading Federalist and the first Secretary of the Treasury, Hamilton championed a strong central government and the establishment of a national bank. His financial policies laid the foundation for the U.S. economy and influenced the constitutional debates on federal authority (Allgor, 2021). |
| George Washington | The first President of the United States and a Founding Father, Washington set numerous precedents for the national government. His leadership during the American Revolution and later as President helped unify the new nation (Chernow, 2017). |
| Thomas Jefferson | The principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President, Jefferson promoted ideals of liberty and democracy. His vision for an agrarian society shaped early American political culture and influenced the Louisiana Purchase, significantly expanding U.S. territory (Woods, 2020). |
| James Madison | Known as the "Father of the Constitution," Madison played a pivotal role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. His contributions laid the groundwork for American federalism and the protection of individual liberties (Benson, 2020). |
| John Adams | A significant diplomat and advocate for independence, Adams played a crucial role in the development of the Constitution and the establishment of the U.S. government. His emphasis on republicanism and checks and balances shaped the early political framework (Cannon, 2021). |
Political Factions
| Faction | Explanation and Views |
|---------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Federalists | This group supported a strong central government and the ratification of the Constitution. They believed that a robust federal authority was essential for maintaining order and ensuring the nation's stability, viewing this as necessary to protect the newly gained independence (Shapiro, 2018). |
| Anti-Federalists| Opponents of the Constitution, Anti-Federalists advocated for states' rights and feared that a strong central government would threaten individual liberties. They were instrumental in pushing for the inclusion of the Bill of Rights to safeguard personal freedoms (Storing, 2019). |
Types of Democracy
| Type | Characteristics and Principles |
|----------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Representative Democracy | In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This principle underscores the U.S. political system, where elected officials at various levels represent the interests of their constituents (Dahl, 2019). |
| Direct Democracy | Under direct democracy, citizens have direct participation in decision-making processes, typically seen in local or smaller-scale governance. While not fully implemented at the federal level, elements of direct democracy, such as ballot initiatives, exist in various forms (Ginsberg, 2020). |
Concepts
| Concept | Description and Importance |
|---------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Separation of Powers | This principle divides government powers among separate branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. It ensures that no branch becomes too powerful, promoting accountability and preventing tyranny, thereby affirming the principles of democracy (Hamilton, 2020). |
| Checks and Balances | This system allows each branch of government to monitor and limit the powers of the others, ensuring a balance of power. It is vital for protecting citizens' rights and upholding the rule of law in a representative democracy (Federalist No. 51, Madison, 1788) (Levin, 2021). |
References
1. Allgor, C. (2021). A Companion to Benjamin Franklin. Wiley-Blackwell.
2. Anderson, M. (2018). A History of the Mayflower. University Press of Kansas.
3. Benson, S. (2020). James Madison: A Life Reconsidered. HarperCollins.
4. Boyer, P. (2019). American History: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
5. Cannon, L. (2021). Adams vs. Jefferson: The Tumultuous Election of 1800. HarperCollins.
6. Chernow, R. (2017). Washington: A Life. Penguin Press.
7. Cox, A. (2017). The Articles of Confederation: A Primary Source Examination. Greenhaven Press.
8. Dahl, R. (2019). On Democracy. Yale University Press.
9. Federalist No. 51, Madison, J. (1788). The Federalist Papers.
10. Fukuyama, F. (2019). The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.