CIVIC: UNIT TEST: ORIGINS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Answer 1

1. The origins of American government can be traced back to the colonial period, when the American colonies were established by European settlers.

2. One key influence on American government was the English common law tradition, which was brought over by the colonists. This tradition emphasized individual rights and the rule of law.

3. Another important influence on American government was the Enlightenment philosophy, which emphasized reason, individual autonomy, and natural rights. Thinkers such as John Locke and Montesquieu had a significant impact on the development of American political thought.

4. The American Revolution also played a major role in shaping the origins of American government. The colonists' desire for self-governance and independence from British rule led to the establishment of a new system of government after the Revolution.

5. The Articles of Confederation, adopted in 1781, were the first attempt at a national government for the newly independent United States. However, the weaknesses of the Articles ultimately led to their replacement with the Constitution.

6. The Constitutional Convention of 1787 was held to address the problems of the Articles of Confederation and create a new system of government. The result was the United States Constitution, which established a federal system with a balance of powers between the national and state governments.

7. The Constitution also included a Bill of Rights, which guaranteed individual freedoms and limited the power of the federal government. This was influenced by the English common law tradition and the Enlightenment philosophy.

8. The origins of American government also involved debates and compromises, such as the division of power between the large and small states (resolved through the Great Compromise) and the issue of slavery (resolved through the Three-Fifths Compromise).

9. The origins of American government can also be seen in state constitutions and local governments, which were established to govern the individual colonies and states.

10. Overall, the origins of American government were shaped by a combination of historical, philosophical, and political influences, and laid the foundation for the democratic system that exists in the United States today.