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Purpose of Government. To form a more perfect union Establish justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty. Landmark English Documents.
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Purpose of Government • To form a more perfect union • Establish justice • Insure domestic tranquility • Provide for the common defense • Promote the general welfare • Secure the blessings of liberty
Landmark English Documents The basic notions of freedom and government can be traced back to several landmark documents in English history
The Magna Carta (1215) • A group of land barons forced King John to sign the document, which established the principle that the king’s power is not absolute. • Trial by jury • Due process of the law • Protection from arbitrary taking of life, liberty, or property
Provisions of Oxford (1264)Bicameral • Written to limit the monarchy, it included the establishment of a baronial council that could veto the king’s decisions. • Established the parliament • Included the great land owning barons- House of Lords • Two knights from each sire • Two representatives from each town House of Commons
Petition of Right (1628); • The king can not imprison political critics • Trial by jury • Rule the military in times of peace • People are not required to shelter troops without the homeowners consent • The petition challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and even the monarch must obey the law
The English bill of Rights 1689 • This document declared; • All elections be free and for everyone • The right to a fair and speedy trial • Freedom from excessive bail • Cruel and unusual punishment
John Locke • He was an English philosopher that stated; life, liberty and property were natural rights rather than privileges. • This heavily influenced the forefathers when writing the constitution and the U.S. bill of rights.
Basic Concept of Governmentthat Influenced the Colonies • Ordered Government; to provided an orderly regulation with one another(sheriff, justice of the peace….) • Limited Government; gov. is limited in what it can, it is not all powerful • Represented Government; people have a voice in gov. “ Government by the people for the people”