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Origins of American Government: The Colonial Period

Origins of American Government: The Colonial Period. Chap 2, Sec 1. Our English Heritage. Time Period: 1600’s Many people came to America(13 Colonies) during the 1600’s. France, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Africa, etc. England Most were from England

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Origins of American Government: The Colonial Period

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  1. Origins of American Government:The Colonial Period Chap 2, Sec 1

  2. Our English Heritage Time Period: 1600’s Many people came to America(13 Colonies) during the 1600’s. France, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Africa, etc. England Most were from England England established and governed the 13 original colonies. English colonists brought ideas of government with them.

  3. Limited Government One idea that was very influential to Colonial Government was the idea of Limited Gov. It was accepted in England by the 1600’s First appeared in the Magna Carta (1215) King John was forced to sign it, acknowledging that the power of the monarchy or government was not absolute.

  4. Impact of the Magna Carta It originally applied only to nobles, but would eventually gain importance to future generations that opposed “absolute authority”. Strong monarchs continued to dominate England for centuries in spite of the Magna Carta. But, Parliament did have some power.

  5. Charles I In 1625, Charles I was crowned King of England. He dissolved Parliament and began violating “rights” of subjects. After he re-convened Parliament, they insisted he sign the Petition of Right. It severely limited the power of the King.Pg 36

  6. The Glorious Revolution 1688(40 yrs after the Petition to Right), James II was in power before being removed by Parliament. William III and Mary II were the new rulers after this peaceful transfer of power. They swore an oath to England to uphold all laws passed by Parliament. The English Bill of Rights was soon passed by Parliament.

  7. The English Bill of Rights Would be VERY important to the American Colonies. It set clear limits on what a ruler could and could not do. Applied to the people of England as well as the 13 colonies. Had elements that were found in the Magna Carta. Key ideas are on page 37.

  8. Representative Government Colonists had a firm belief in this notion that people elect delegates to make laws and run government. English Parliament Upper Chamber-House of Lords Lower Chamber-House of Commons

  9. New Ideas(Age of Enlightenment) English Philosophers had a HUGE impact on the American Colonies ideas surrounding government. Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau all believed in “Natural Rights”. Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were avid readers of these men…

  10. Natural Rights Locke reasoned that in a state of nature (before government), people were born free, equal, and independent. These “laws of nature” provided the right to life, liberty, and property. Furthermore, if a government violated the laws of nature, the people had the right to change the government. Sound Familiar?

  11. Common Traits of the 13 Colonies Each colony had its own Governor, Legislature, and Court System. Some practices trace their origins to this period: Written Constitution, Legislature of elected representatives, Separation of Powers

  12. Written Constitutions • Mayflower Compact-1620. First example of many plans for colonial self government. • Great Fundamentals- first basic system of laws in the English Colonies. • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut- America’s first formal constitution(charter).

  13. Legislatures Virginia House of Burgesses- 1619.First legislature in the American Colonies. All of the colonies developed legislatures to deal with the challenges of a growing nation. Pg 40. Were these really considered representative? Land ownership, etc?

  14. Separation of Powers Was laid out in the Charters of each colony. Governor- The King’s Agent-Executive Branch Legislatures- The people’s Agent-Leg. Branch Colonial Courts-The Judicial Branch. Montesquieu’sThe Spirit of Laws, influential in spreading this concept known as Separation of Powers. Link to AU History Outline

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