Roots of American Government

1. Roots of American Government The Magna Carta 1215 The English people forced King John to sign the Magna Carta in 1215, which is the first time that a King gave up any power to the people. This document said that the king could not raise taxes without first consulting the Great Council. He also agreed that nobles and freeman should not be punished without a trial by jury .

2. Roots of American Government The Magna Carta • Signed in 1215 by King John II of England. • The first document that limited power of the ruler.

3. Virginia House of Burgesses • The House of Burgesses was a representative assembly in colonial Virginia and was the first elective governing body in a British overseas possession. • The assembly was established by Gov. George Yeardley at Jamestown, July 30, 1619. Because each Virginia settlement was entitled to elect two burgesses (representatives), the original membership of the house was 22.

4. Virginia House of Burgesses • First representative assembly in the new world established at Jamestown, VA in 1619. • Each Virginia settlement was entitled to elect 2 burgesses (representatives) to be part of a governing council.

5. The Mayflower Compact1620 When the Pilgrims came to America before they came ashore in Massachusetts they drew up the Mayflower Compact. The male signers agreed to consult each other about the laws for the colony and promised to work together to make the colony succeed. Later when Plymouth colony grew too large for everyone to consult the settlers chose representatives to assemble and make laws. Summary: Colonists worked together for success; Representatives elected to make laws.

6. The Mayflower Compact1620 • Signed in 1620 by the Pilgrims in Plymouth. • Pilgrims agreed to consult each other about laws for the colony and promised to work together to make it succeed. • First self-government in the colonies.

7. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639) were the set of laws by which the first settlers agreed to govern themselves. • These were the first laws that recognized the people as the real basis of civil authority.

8. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut • First written constitution of the colonies in 1636. • Stated that governments are based on the rights of the individuals.

9. The English Bill of Rights 1689 After King James II was removed from the throne by Parliament, William and Mary began their rule of England. In 1689, William and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights, which protected the rights of individuals • reaffirmed that anyone accused of a crime had the right to a trial by jury • it also outlawed cruel and unusual punishments • provided for the right to bear arms • ruler could not raise taxes or raise an army without the approval of Parliament. These ideals are included in the Bill of Rights attached to the American Constitution. As English citizens, colonists were protected by the bill. Summary: Protected individual rights.

10. The English Bill of Rights1689 • Signed in 1689 by William & Mary. • Protected the rights of the English citizens and became the basis for the American Bill of Rights.

11. The Declaration of Independence1776 The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration on July 4, 1776. The Declaration list the many grievances the colonists held against King George III, which included: • Imposing taxes on us without our consent • Government can’t take away “unalienable Rights (Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.)” • Declaring America free and independent states Summary: Declared America independent & guaranteed unalienable rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)

12. The Declaration of Independence1776 • Written by Thomas Jefferson, July 4, 1776. • Declared the American colonies independent from England. • Guaranteed unalienable rights (“life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”).

13. The Articles of Confederation 1781 In May of 1776 the Continental Congress asked the states to organize their governments and each move quickly to adopt a state constitution. The Continental Congress also appointed a committee to draw up plans for a new central government to coordinate the war for Independence. They wrote the Articles of Confederation, which created a league of independent states. Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had limited authority. Although the Articles had many weaknesses, Americans were able to win the war of Independence.

14. Weakness of the Articles of Confederation

15. Boundary Disputes (states lines) NO $ Gov. can’t Tax Quarreling among states Weak centralGov. No Respect! From foreign nations Bottom Line: Country is falling apart and needs a stronger gov.

16. The Articles of Confederation 1781 • First American Constitution signed in 1781. • WEAK document that limited the power of the Congress by giving states the final authority over all decisions.

17. United States Constitution • Since the Articles of Confederation were too weak, they had to be replaced. • From May to September 1787, the men, known as the Framers, met in Philadelphia and discussed what should be in the Constitution. • They learned from the mistakes of the past and created a living document that would apply to future generations. • On September 17, 1787, the Framers signed the Constitution, which is still the governing document of the United States.

18. United States Constitution • Written by James Madison in 1787. • Sets out the laws and principles of the government of the United States