The Albany Plan
The colonists who settled in America made many attempts to create a system of government with which they were satisfied. One of the earliest formal attempts was the Albany Plan of Union, drawn up in 1754 by founding father Benjamin Franklin. This was one of the earliest attempts to unify the thirteen colonies against the French (DeLorenzo, 2000). Franklin wanted to unite all the colonies (with the exception of Georgia and Delaware). Under the Albany Plan, each colony would elect a representative to attend the Grand Council, while the British imperial government selected a President-General. This two-branch system would be responsible for maintaining peaceful relations between the colonies themselves—territory disputes abounded—as well as between the colonies and Native American tribes (U.S. Department of State, n.d.). It was dismissed by colonial governments as threatening to the democratic institutions that were developing in the absence of direct British rule (DeLorenzo, 2000). Clearly, the plan has similarities with the Iroquois Grand Council. This should not be surprising, especially in light of the fact that Franklin was in frequent contact with the Iroquois Nation since childhood (Grinde & Johansen, 1991).
Although the Albany Plan was ultimately rejected, is important to note that this plan was not an attempt at creating a nation independent of British rule, but rather an attempt to repair the damaged relationship between the two bodies (U.S. Department of State, n.d.). The Albany Plan was drafted during a period of early American history in which England left the colonies alone “for their own health”—Britain had neither the time nor resources to properly govern the colonies—so naturally, the colonists formed their own rules while the motherland ignored them (DeLorenzo, 2000). During salutary neglect, many different forms of government sprang up throughout the colonies, the two most influential being the Virginia House of Burgesses and the New England-style Town Hall meetings held in Massachusetts. The House of Burgesses was a representative democracy filled with elected officials who spoke on behalf of their home region within the state (much like our modern House of Representatives). Town Hall meetings, on the other hand, were nearer a direct democracy where only town members (who were white, landowning men) could participate (DeLorenzo, 2000).
Although the Albany Plan was ultimately rejected, is important to note that this plan was not an attempt at creating a nation independent of British rule, but rather an attempt to repair the damaged relationship between the two bodies (U.S. Department of State, n.d.). The Albany Plan was drafted during a period of early American history in which England left the colonies alone “for their own health”—Britain had neither the time nor resources to properly govern the colonies—so naturally, the colonists formed their own rules while the motherland ignored them (DeLorenzo, 2000). During salutary neglect, many different forms of government sprang up throughout the colonies, the two most influential being the Virginia House of Burgesses and the New England-style Town Hall meetings held in Massachusetts. The House of Burgesses was a representative democracy filled with elected officials who spoke on behalf of their home region within the state (much like our modern House of Representatives). Town Hall meetings, on the other hand, were nearer a direct democracy where only town members (who were white, landowning men) could participate (DeLorenzo, 2000).
The Articles of Confederation
In the years following the American Revolution, the foundational work for our current Constitution was laid with the development and adoption of the Articles of Confederation. While this government has been largely deemed a failure, it certainly allowed the founding fathers to hone in on what a successful American form of government would look like. Under the AoC, there was no standing army, no taxation, no unified currency, no executive leadership, and a very slow moving congressional body (DeLorenzo, 2000). The Constitution was created, among other reasons, as a solution to many of the problems created by the Articles of Confederation during the eight years it was enacted (1781-1789).
In response to the issues uncovered during the years of the Articles of Confederation, the Founding Fathers drafted into the Constitution certain rights of the government, including the ability to raise and maintain an army, impose taxes and tariffs, and coin money. They also created three branches of government: a central executive position (President of the United States), a bicameral legislative branch, and a judicial branch.
Check out this chart to understand more about the differences between the Constitution and the Articles of Confederation.
In response to the issues uncovered during the years of the Articles of Confederation, the Founding Fathers drafted into the Constitution certain rights of the government, including the ability to raise and maintain an army, impose taxes and tariffs, and coin money. They also created three branches of government: a central executive position (President of the United States), a bicameral legislative branch, and a judicial branch.
Check out this chart to understand more about the differences between the Constitution and the Articles of Confederation.