Origins of American Government The Colonial Period

Colonists Ideas They brought them from England They brought them from England These ideas were also part of existing government systems in North America These ideas were also part of existing government systems in North America – Iroquois League Two principles at the heart of the English system Two principles at the heart of the English system – Limited government – Representative government

Limited Government The power of the monarch, or government is limited, not absolute The power of the monarch, or government is limited, not absolute Magna Carta (Great Charter) – signed by King John in 1215 Magna Carta (Great Charter) – signed by King John in 1215 People later interpreted this document as providing protection against unjust punishment and the loss of life, liberty, and property accept according to law. People later interpreted this document as providing protection against unjust punishment and the loss of life, liberty, and property accept according to law.

Petition of Right Charles I takes the throne and goes a little too far (1625) Parliament makes him sign the Petition of Right in 1628 It said the monarch can no longer collect taxes without consent, imprison people without just cause, house troops without owners permission, and declare martial law unless country is at war

English Bill of Rights People in America and Europe had to follow them. People in America and Europe had to follow them. 1) Monarchs do not have absolute authority. 1) Monarchs do not have absolute authority. 2) Monarchs need Parliament’s consent to suspend laws, levy taxes, and maintain an army. 2) Monarchs need Parliament’s consent to suspend laws, levy taxes, and maintain an army. 3) The monarch cannot interfere with parliamentary elections and debates. 3) The monarch cannot interfere with parliamentary elections and debates.

English Bill of Rights 4) The people have the right to petition the government and to have a fair and speedy trial by a jury of their peers. 4) The people have the right to petition the government and to have a fair and speedy trial by a jury of their peers. 5) The people should not be subject to cruel and unusual punishments or to excessive fines and bail. 5) The people should not be subject to cruel and unusual punishments or to excessive fines and bail. The reason for the American Revolution was that these were not being followed The reason for the American Revolution was that these were not being followed

Representative Government A government in which people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government. A government in which people elect delegates to make laws and conduct government. English Parliament English Parliament – House of Lords (Upper Chamber): first sons of noble families – House of Commons (Lower Chamber): elected

Idealists Voltaire Voltaire Jean Jacques Rousseau Jean Jacques Rousseau John Locke John Locke – Natural law – Social contract theory Influenced the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the French Revolution Influenced the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the French Revolution

The Colonies Each colony had a: –G–G–G–Governor –A–A–A–A legislature –A–A–A–A court system –I–I–I–Its own property qualifications for voting –9–9–9–9 of the 13 had an established church

3 Key Practices A written constitution that guaranteed basic liberties and limited the power of the government A written constitution that guaranteed basic liberties and limited the power of the government A legislature of elected representatives A legislature of elected representatives The separation of powers between the governor (chief executive) and the legislature The separation of powers between the governor (chief executive) and the legislature

Written Constitutions Mayflower Compact (1620): rules to govern themselves in the new land General Fundamentals (1629): first basic systems of laws in colonies Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639): laid out a plan for government that gave the people the right to elect the governor, judges, and representatives to make laws

Colonial Legislatures Puritans forced their leaders to reorganize the government so that each town elected 2 representatives to the General Court Puritans forced their leaders to reorganize the government so that each town elected 2 representatives to the General Court By the mid-1700’s most colonial legislatures had been operating for 100 years By the mid-1700’s most colonial legislatures had been operating for 100 years It was an established tradition in America It was an established tradition in America

Separation of Powers Divided the power of the government Divided the power of the government The governor was the chief executive The governor was the chief executive The legislatures had the power to pass laws The legislatures had the power to pass laws The courts hear cases The courts hear cases This is a vital part to the United States Constitution This is a vital part to the United States Constitution