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Governing Documents

Governing Documents . Magna Carta (1215) . Signed by the king to protect people from arbitrary acts of the king Establishes the idea of limited government Fundamental rights like: Protecting against taking life, liberty, property New taxes only with permission .

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Governing Documents

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  1. Governing Documents

  2. Magna Carta (1215) • Signed by the king to protect people from arbitrary acts of the king • Establishes the idea of limited government • Fundamental rights like: • Protecting against taking life, liberty, property • New taxes only with permission

  3. Mayflower Compact (1620) - First example of colonial plans for self government • Agreed to pick their own leaders & make their own laws • What type of democracy is this?

  4. English Bill of Rights (1689) - Parliament’s approval needed for ending laws and passing new taxes • Trial by jury • Due process • No cruel punishment • No excessive bails or fines • Right to bear arms • Right to petition the king

  5. Declaration of Independence • Sent to King George III to describe grievances against the king and that the American colonies should be free and independent • Used Enlightenment ideas of natural rights

  6. Articles of Confederation • A weak central govt to prevent tyranny • Little power because colonies were fearful of another king. • Failed!

  7. Strengths: • Declare war • Make peace • Sign treaties • Borrow $$ • Est. an army and navy • Org. a post office • Weaknesses: • No chief executive • No nat’l court system • No power to draft soldiers • No power to control interstate commerce • No power to enforce treaties • No power to collect taxes from states • No nat’l currency • Difficult to pass laws (2/3rd vote required) • Very difficult to amend the Articles (unanimous vote of states required)

  8. Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak? • What we didn’t like about the British. . . • Taxation without representation • Large central government (monarchy) had all the power • States always had to listen to the king • All power was in the King’s hands. • King could change the rules/laws any time • So the Articles of Confederation… • Federal government could not tax • States didn’t have to follow laws and treaties. • States had their own laws and didn’t have to follow any other states’ laws • No executive branch or national court system. • Any amendment required all 13 states

  9. The US Constitution

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