CHAPTER 2 Section 1: Our Political Beginnings

WHAT IS THE POINT OF GOVERNMENT? WHY DO WE NEED IT?  The British saw the need for ordered government

LIMITED GOVERNMENT  Government is restricted in what it may do, and every individual has certain rights that government cannot take away.

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT  The idea that government should serve the will of the people

MAGNA CARTA  “the Great Charter” - signed in 1215  Document forced upon the King of England to make him responsible for his actions and gave rights to citizens.  Trial by Jury  Due Process of Law

DUE PROCESS OF LAW  Protection against the arbitrary taking o life, liberty, or property

PETITION OF RIGHT  Limited the king’s power  No martial law in time of peace (military takes power and suspends rights of people)  No quartering soldiers  Monarch must also follow the rules.

ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS  No standing army in times of peace  Free parliamentary elections Need Parliament approval for:  Suspending laws or creating them  Raising taxes  Citizens may petition the king and not be punished.

CHARTER  Written grant of authority from the king

BICAMERAL  Two houses in a legislature Where have we seen a bicameral legislature before….

PROPRIETARY  Colonies organized by a proprietor, a person whom the king had made a grant of land. Three Colonies:  Maryland  Delaware  Pennsylvania

UNICAMERAL  One house legislature.