American Political Thought I (colonial period through the Civil War) will begin by examining the "ancient constitution" that English colonists brought with them to the New World, as well as the important new ideas about rights that would form the core of American political experience. We will look also at the very significant religious ideas and practices that shaped colonial life, and how those ideas influenced political thought. We will then examine, in turn, the Revolution; the creation of new constitutions; the debate over the Federal Constitution of 1788, and the difficulties that led to the demand for a new constitution; the formation of the new national government; the beginnings of the party system; conflicts over the powers of the President, courts, and legislature; and the growing conflict over slavery, federalism, and secession. We will end the semester with a study of Abraham Lincoln's contribution to what has been called a "refounding" of the American polity.
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