Upon the closing of the Revolution, America was ready to begin their quest towards independence. Each state created their own Constitution to replace that of the colonial charter. States defined their rights, limitations on power and how their government was to be set up, all resulting in several different versions of a similar idea. However, I think the most interesting element of this was the forward thinking of John Adams and his ideas for the new government, published in his writing, Thoughts on Government. Adams essentially mixed two different ideas into one; that of a republican society where power was shared but by “the king, lords, and commons.” He liked the idea of dividing up specific government functions and assigning different jobs to each function: One to make laws, one to enforce laws and one to ‘judge’ those laws (Legislative, administrative, and judicial). Adams motivation behind this setup was that it would spread out the authority instead of giving all power to one person/king. Two houses, an upper and a lower were included in his “thoughts” along with an elected governor that had the power to veto. A judicial board would be appointed to review the governmental functions.
Adams presented this idea over 200 years ago yet our American government is still structured similarly. I find it really impressive that one person could have possibly thought up the core idea for an entire nation’s government, yet states were too apprehensive to give too much power (especially veto power) to a governor, or any executive figure at all.
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John adams created a government that was bicameral meaning with two houses the house of representatives and the senate with three branches (Legislative, administrative, and judicial). He thought that the spread of government would allow the spread of authority prevent one house to get too powerful to show their separation of Britain in this true form. He believed in a natural aristocracy that would keep the rich in power but the common people wanted a democracy all equal politically making sure that there voices are heard. Adams came up with this idea centuries ago and our government still holds by these very same rules. Ironic? I think not; i think adams knew what he was doing and because of his smarts and brilliance that is why they still stand strong today
Adam's fue un hombre inteligente. He was trying to go for what would work for both the rich and the common people. I think it's interesting to be reading and to see the split between people who believe in democratic ideas and people who believe in republican ideas, as well, SUCH a long time ago, and those are our two major parties today. What's interesting as well, is how you grow up and what you're surrounded by (lots of money, or in modest surroundings) affects your political beliefs when you grow up.
Adam's idea of bicameral government was wonderful! It is so interesting to still see those ideas in place today. The country would be very different if we did not allow representation in the House and Senate. Bicameral legislature is something that is extremely important today. Although I do not agree on Adam's ideas of aristocracy I think his ideas on government structure were revolutionary for the time.
I found it interesting that America started with each state having their own constitution rather than one national consitution. It's amazing that Adam's saw that this wasn't going to work. If he hadn't of published his thoughts on the government and further expressed his ideas on how the government should be run who knows what would have happened.
I also thought it was interesting that each state had their own Constitution. Adams also did a great job at spreading out the power instead of having one person be in power of everything.
It's also very interesting to me that this was happening over 200 years ago, but we still use the same concept today.
I think it is interesting that the United States settled on a system of a bicameral legislature after a couple of states such as Pennsylvania had created successful state governments with a unicameral legislature. I guess Adams' whole idea was to create more equal power between large states and small states.
Adams idea was a wonderful one, and it allowed the people in a way for the first time govern themselves. Not one person was completely in control. I thought it was very interesting that each state wrote its own constituion. Adams helped the smaller state have more of a voice to become more equal with the larger, and sometimes more powerful states.
Agreed. Stubborn and uncompromising Adams, who felt his ideals we're not followed close enough and took too long to inact, is what makes America's government what it is today.
I also think it is very interesting to know that someone created our government in such a way that it still works today. Although the government has evolved, the same ideas are still there.
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