British Influences on America

British Influence The colonists in America were British citizens and were greatly influenced by the mother country and her people. They spoke the same language. Many practiced the same religion- a form of Protestantism. They had loyalty to the king and British government. They believed in the rights of Englishmen.

British Influence Most had similar beliefs about politics and philosophies. They had a common history and culture. They shared customs and values. They believed in similar ideas about government because of British history.

Sources of British and American Law 1. Common Law: this was law that was the same no matter what part of the country you were in. It was made by judges in the process of resolving cases that was copied in later cases. 2. Equity Law: this law is a system of rules that resolve disputes on the basis of fairness. It was developed in the king’s courts.

Sources of British and American Law 3. Constitutional Law: this is a system of law based on a constitution- a written plan or blueprint for government. 4. Statutory Law: this is a system of laws passed by legislatures at the local, state, and national level.

Sources of British and American Law 5. Monarchy: Great Britain was government by a limited monarchy- one king ruling with Parliament. This made the colonists fear one supreme ruler. 6. Parliament: Great Britain developed a legislature, Parliament in the late 1300s. Parliament was made up of representatives of the people in two houses- the House of Lords and the House of Commons. They struggled with the king for power. This influenced the colonists to want representatives and demand representation.

Sources of British and American Law 7. The Magna Carta: This document was forced upon King John I to sign in 1215 and protected the rights and authority of the nobles and limited the power of the king. No one was above the law. 8. English Petition of Right 1628: This document was forced upon the king and gave Parliament more power- only Parliament could tax, no martial law during peace time, guarantees rights and protections like the writ of habeas corpus

Sources of British and American Law 9. English Bill of Rights: This was a list of rights that the people were entitled to. It would influence the Americans to have a Bill of Rights later. 10. Self-Government: distance from England, different experiences, Great Britain’s examples of federalism and local government

Sources of British and American Law 11. Economic ideals: The Americans valued trade and a strong economy just like the British. The economic ties and trade sources that Britain had established in Colonial America would survive and flourish even after the Americans gained their independence. 12. Natural Rights: John Locke promoted the idea that all men were entitled to life, liberty, and property- the Americans would take this idea and run with it.

Sources of British and American Law 13. Christianity: Many laws in Britain and America originated from Judeo-Christian beliefs and values 14. Culture: in general, we were very similar to the British

Other Sources that Influenced the Colonies

Other sources… Greeks Romans Feudalism King John I and the Magna Carta Parliament Common Law English Bill of Rights

Other sources… Greeks- democracy Romans- republic Feudalism- social contract King John I and the Magna Carta- rule of law and individual rights Parliament- representative government Common Law- laws should be applied the same for everyone everywhere English Bill of Rights- list of rights of citizens and limited government

Other sources… The Enlightenment John Locke Baron de Montesquieu Jean Jacques Rousseau Voltaire The Great Awakening

Other sources… The Enlightenment- pushed to use reason to explain and question things John Locke- natural rights Baron de Montesquieu- separation of powers Jean Jacques Rousseau- social contract Voltaire- personal rights and freedoms The Great Awakening- religious movement that pushes individualism and questioning traditional authority

Other sources… Distance from England Virginia House of Burgesses Mayflower Compact Town Meetings Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Other sources… Distance from England- must self-govern Virginia House of Burgesses- first representative government in the colonies Mayflower Compact- one of the first forms of self- government in the colonies and an example of direct democracy Town Meetings- citizens of New England were allowed to vote on all issues and expected to have a voice in govt. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut- first written plan of government- constitution- in the colonies

Other sources… Puritans and Education American Colleges The Iroquois Nations Christianity Mercantilism

Other sources… Puritans and Education- pushed literacy, which kept people informed American Colleges- pushed education and being informed and learning about the thinkers of the Enlightenment The Iroquois Nations- an example of a confederacy and organized government Christianity- pushed Christian ideals and standards and desire for religious freedom Mercantilism- economic idea that govt. should play a limited role in the economy- colonists expected lots of economic freedom