Ideas That Shape American Politics
Presentation/Discussion 1
Kayla Mason
Professor Weeks
POS 110
Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
Why it was written:
Why did they write it?
- To explain the decision to break away from England
- As a statement to world of America's purpose
The U.S Constitution
U.S. Constitution
Who wrote it?
Who wrote it?
Why it was written:
Why did they write it?
- To change the ideas from the Declaration of Independence into the supreme law of the land.
- To become the rulebook and guide for the government.
- To protect citizens and ensure their rights.
What if it wasn't successful?
American Revolution
- Authors would likely not have written
the "By The People" textbook.
- The United States could still have been
under the rule of Great Britain.
- The Declaration of Independence and
the Constition most likely wouldn't have been written.
The Spirit of Who We Are
- The Spirit of the United States is a nation of immigrants who come in hopes to live the American dream and to reinvent themselves.
- Americans are many generations of all different kinds of people who are always changing, growing, and moving on to stand for our country.
Land of
the Free
- America is the land of the free because of the many people who fought for our country and laid their lives on the line.
- America is able to stay free because of the rights given to the citizens and the people who lead our country.
Youtube Link:
https://youtu.be/Quit2H4_K6Q
Two Sides
of Liberty
- The liberty, and provision of basic necessities, to pursue one’s goals
- Agrees that the government helps all people to achieve real freedom
- Freedom from constraints or the interference of others
- Disagrees with the government collecting taxes and using that money to help the homeless or feed the hungry.
Idea of Freedom is Always Changing
Idea of Freedom is Always Changing
- Freedom is repeatedly won and lost.
- Slavery and racial segregation was around for a long time and after protest and many court proceedings, African Americans finally received the rights that they deserved.
- The ideas of freedom and rights have changed many times throughout American history and continue to change.
Difference Between the U.S. as a Democracy Compared to The U.S. as a Republic
Difference Between the U.S.
as a Democracy Compared
to The U.S. as a Republic
- A government in which citizens rule directly and make governmental decisions for themselves.
- A government in which citizens rule indirectly and permit elected representatives to make decisions.
Origins of Limited Government
Origins of Limited Government
- Limited government became an idea when Americans developed a distrust for the government.
- Distrust started from when England ruled America.
- England was governed by a king and the Americans saw the king as
a distant figure who had no right to interfere with their events.
- Our American freedoms were derived from war and this created negative effects in trust for our own government.
Limits on Government Action and Self-Rule
Limits on Government Action and Self-Rule
- Self-rule wants the winning party to be able to put its policies into place without trouble.
- The limited government says no and that the winning party doesn’t need to be a part of our private lives.
- Americans debate what limits should be pursued as new ideas are being generated.