160 likes | 302 Views
Magna Carta. Nobles placed limits on royal power Forced King John to give up important rights (limits on taxation, protection of private property, trial by jury, and certain religious freedoms) Only for nobles, but HUGE step in establishing principle of limited gov’t. Coming to a New Land.
E N D
Magna Carta • Nobles placed limits on royal power • Forced King John to give up important rights (limits on taxation, protection of private property, trial by jury, and certain religious freedoms) • Only for nobles, but HUGE step in establishing principle of limited gov’t
Coming to a New Land • British citizens started breaking free from Britain 1760’s (3 reasons) 1.Public opinion-positive move for many 2. Taxes and set salaries for governors 3. Colonial policies were often weak
Coming to a New Land British colonists were loyal, BUT they did go against British policy on occasion • Why?
Stamp Act • Parliament passed a law placing a tax on all printed materials • Colonists were furious • “NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION” • -Boycott of British goods
Townshend Acts • Taxed everyday items • After Boston Massacre Parliament repealed all but the Tea Tax • Reminded the colonists of Parliament’s power
Boston Tea Party • Colonists didn’t like being “held down” by Parliament • Intolerable Acts resulted from BTP-laws that invaded the privacy of the colonists (forcing colonists to house soldiers)
First Continental Congress • FCC looked for a solution with Britain • Declaration of Rights-Colonists were entitled to the same rights as British-Parliament had violated them • British offended by FCC and sent troops to Mass. • Start of American Revolution
Second Continental Congress • SCC formed soon after, led by John Hancock • George Washington named commander of the army • SCC served as first government of the U.S. from 1776-1781
Declaration of Independence • Jefferson announces the independence in the first paragraph • Remainder refers to reasons for revolt • Franklin-signers need to “hang together” or they would “most assuredly hang separately”
Articles of Confederation • Articles of Confederation ratified March 1781 • America’s first National Constitution • Power was in the states-not central gov’t • 13 states or one nation? • One vote for each state • No national courts • Only a “firm league of friendship”
Representation in Congress • Congress was virtually powerless under the Articles • Constitutional Convention-May 1787 • Two plans-New Jersey Plan and Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan • Favored small states • Equal representation from every state no matter the size of the state
Virginia Plan • Favored large states • Representation based on population • 3 branches • central gov’t could cancel state laws and make states follow national laws
Great Compromise • Bicameral legislature • one based on population (House of Rep.) • one for the states (Senate) • But what about the slaves?