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Chapter 2: Origins of American Government Sections 1-2. Introduction. What ideas and traditions influenced government in the English Colonies? English customs and ideas about government, including: The idea of ordered government The principle of limited government
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Introduction • What ideas and traditions influenced government in the English Colonies? • English customs and ideas about government, including: • The idea of ordered government • The principle of limited government • The principle of representative government • English historical documents, including: • The Magna Carta • The Petition of Right • The English Bill of Rights
Key Political Concepts • Ordered government • Local governments should be divided into units and ruled by officers according to law. • City – County – State • Limited government • Individual citizens have basic rights • There are limits on government power • Representative government • Government should serve the will of the people. • People should have a say in what the government does or does not do.
The Magna Carta • Signed by King John in 1215 • Created by English barons to put limits on the once absolute power of the King. • Guaranteed certain fundamental rights for the privileged, such as Due Process, trial by jury and due process of law. Over time, these rights were extended to all English people.
The Petition of Right • The Petition of Right was signed by King Charles I in 1628. • Banned the king from imprisoning or punishing people without first following the laws of the land. • Kept the king from declaring military rule in times of peace or making people house soldiers. • Required the consent of Parliament for taxation.
The English Bill of Rights The English Bill of Rights was drawn up by Parliament in 1689 to prevent the abuse of power by all future monarchs. • Required the consent of Parliament for taxation and suspension of laws. • Promised the right to a fair trial, and to petition the monarchy to correct injustices.
American Rights • This chart compares the rights guaranteed by the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights with the freedoms listed in the Virginia Bill of Rights and the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution.
The Thirteen Colonies • The colonies were established over a span of 125 years. • Virginia was the first colony, founded in 1607. • Georgia was the last, formed in 1733. • The similarities among the colonies ultimately outweighed their differences. • Each colony was established on the basis of a charter granted by the king. • These charters granted some governing authority to the colonies and kept some for the king.
Three Types of Colonies • Royal colonies were directly controlled by the king. • Proprietary colonies were run by a proprietor chosen by the king. • Charter colonies were run mainly by elected legislatures and were the most independent. • How many royal colonies were left at this time? • How were royal colonies and charter colonies different?
British Colonial Policies The colonies became used to a large degree of self-rule for many years. Distance made it hard for Parliament to manage colonial affairs or enforce trade laws. Colonial legislatures took on broader powers, withholding pay from governors who disagreed with legislative proposals. Britain provided colonial defense, managed foreign affairs, and provided a common currency and market. Taxation was low and interference with colonial affairs was minimal.
British Policies Change How did Britain’s dealings with the colonies change? After King George III came to power in 1760, British policies changed. Parliament expanded and enforced laws to control colonial trade. Parliament passed new taxes to pay for British troops stationed in North America. Colonists had no say in these policies and protested “taxation without representation.” British leaders ignored these complaints.
Events Leading to Independence In 1765, Britain passed the Stamp Act. This law required a stamp to be bought for all legal documents and newspapers. Nine colonies responded by forming the Stamp Act Congress in New York. They sent a Declaration of Rights and Grievances to the king. This was the first unified colonial protest. Parliament repealed the Stamp Act.
Tensions Grow New laws continued to anger colonists. They responded with boycotts and violence Events like the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party raised tensions.
First Continental Congress Met in Philadelphia in 1774 in response to the Intolerable Acts Included delegates from every colony but Georgia. Among them were John Adams, George Washington, and John Jay. Sent a Declaration of Rights to King George that protested Britain’s colonial policies. Urged colonists to boycott trade with England until hated laws were repealed. Gained the support of all 13 colonial legislatures and called for a second Congress to meet the following May.
Second Continental Congress This Congress became America’s first national government, from 1776-1781. It had 1 Branch of Government with both legislative and executive powers made up of delegates from each state During the war, it raised a military, printed and borrowed money, and made foreign treaties. Benjamin Franklin (right) was a leading member.
State Constitutions The Congress urged colonies to write their own constitutions. A constitution sets out the principles, structures, and processes of government. First State Constitutions had 4 common features Popular Sovereignty – government exists only with the consent of the people. Power to the People! Limited Government – Constitution would limit the state government’s powers Civil Rights & Liberties – There are certain rights all people have that the state must respect and not take away. Separation of Powers/Checks & Balances – Power in the government is divided among different branches (executive, legislative, judiciary).
Breaking from Britain Congress resolved to break away from Britain in 1776. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, and Thomas Jefferson were named to write a proclamation of independence. The delegates declared independence on July 2, 1776 and adopted the Declaration on July 4.
Key Terms • limited government: the idea that government is restricted in what it may do and that every individual has certain rights that government cannot remove • representative government: the idea that government should both serve and be guided by the will of the people • Magna Carta: the Great Charter signed in 1215 that limited the powers of the English king and guaranteed certain fundamental rights
Key Terms, cont. • due process: protection against the unjust taking of life, liberty, or property • Petition of Right: a document signed in 1628 that required the English king to obey the law of the land and increased the influence of Parliament • English Bill of Rights: a document signed in 1689 that required free elections and guaranteed many basic rights, such as due process and trial by jury, to all English citizens
Key Terms, cont. • charter: a written grant of authority from the king • bicameral: having two houses, as in a two-house legislature • proprietary: the name given to colonies organized and governed according to the will of a proprietor, a person granted land and authority by the king • unicameral: having only one house, as in a one house legislature
Key Terms confederation: a joining of several different groups for a common purpose Albany Plan of Union: Benjamin Franklin’s proposal that the 13 colonies form a congress to raise armed forces, regulate trade, and deal jointly with Native Americans delegate: a representative popular sovereignty: the principle that government exists only with the consent of the governed
