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The Colonial Period

Chapter 2.1. The Colonial Period. Government Mr. Biggs. An English Political Heritage. Limited Government. Magna Carta (1215) – This “Great Charter” established the principal of limited government.

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The Colonial Period

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  1. Chapter 2.1 The Colonial Period Government Mr. Biggs

  2. An English Political Heritage Limited Government Magna Carta (1215) – This “Great Charter” established the principal of limited government. Monarchs no longer had absolute power and it protected people’s right to life, liberty, and property. (Question Petition of Right (1628) Severely limited the power of the monarch: Could tax only with Parliament’s consent Could imprison only with just cause Could not force troop housing Could not impose martial law in times of peace King Charles I

  3. English Bill of Rights (1688) Parliament removed James II and crowned William III and Mary II in what became know as the Glorious Revolution. The English Bill of Rights set clear limits on what a ruler could and could not do. William III and Mary II The monarch does not have the divine right to rule and needed consent to: Suspend laws Levy taxes Maintain an army The monarch cannot interfere with parliament. The people have the right to a fair and speedy trial. The people should not be subject to cruel and unusual punishment or excessive bail.

  4. People elect delegates to make laws and conduct government. American legislatures grew out of the English practice of representation. Representative Government John Locke (1632 – 1704) An English philosopher who deeply influenced American colonists. He believed that all people were born free, equal, and independent. That people possessed natural rights to life, liberty, and property. That people form a contract with the government to protect their natural rights. If the government fails to fulfill this contract, the people can change it. Government was only legitimate as long as the people consented to it. John Locke

  5. Government in the Colonies All colonies had legislatures with elected representatives. Many had an executive with limited powers. Most had a written constitution. Common Traits Written Constitutions Mayflower Compact (1620) – The first colonial plan for self-government. Pilgrims choose their own leaders and made their own laws. Great Fundamentals (1636) – First basic system of laws in the English colonies. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639) – Plan to elect governors, judges, and representatives to make laws.

  6. Colonial Legislatures The Virginia House of Burgesses (1619) – The first legislature in America. Colonial legislatures dominated colonial government because they constantly needed new laws to cope with new circumstances. Separation of Powers The governing power was divided among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. The king’s agent held executive power. Colonial legislatures had the power to pass laws. Colonial courts heard cases. Colonial legislatures became the political training ground for the leaders who later would write the Constitution.

  7. The End

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