The Rights of Englishmen If bumper stickers were around in the 1700s, “Proud to Be British” would have been all over the place American colonists loved the ideas of the British Considered Britain to be the greatest empire in the world Britain had colonies all over the world Could trade with any other parts of the empire, while other people, for the most part, could not Ships were protected by the British navy (considered the best navy in the world at this time)

Part of the Empire Self-Government in America Chose leaders they wanted Made their own laws Self-Government started in Britain Wealthy and important landowners elected people to represent them in Parliament (which was like our common day Congress) King had power over taxes and spending Parliament insisted they have a say Parliament and English kings disagreed for a couple hundred years. Parliament finally won

Part of the Empire Cont’d Assemblies- a group of representatives who gather to make laws (colonists own law-making bodies) Some people could not vote, like women, African Americans, and Native Americans White males who owned land or other property could vote (most white males owned land, so a large portion of the colonial population voted) Parliament made decisions about what parts of the empire could trade How can Parliament control from 3,000 miles away? (only those that were nearby knew what was truly needed) Colonists believed that “they could be taxed only by their own elected representatives” Fought against “taxation without representation” Should only be taxed by representatives who knew what tax money was needed for

Americans Claim British Rights Americans colonists thought they had the same rights as the British: Property could not be taken without reason and paying the person No one could search anyone’s property without appearing before a judge and explaining why they thought something illegal was being hidden there People could not be put in jail without being accused of a crime, and then they could not be kept in jail indefinitely (without an end date)

No secret evidence or accusations Peaceful protest (government could not interfere) Citizens could petition the government and ask for change Rights we know today? Most people in the world do not enjoy these rights even today We take these for granted today, BECAUSE we have them… British and American colonist were proud to have “the rights of Englishmen”

Most Fortunate People On Earth Land blessed by nature Enjoyed rights and liberties Equal to anyone, anywhere in the world Empire of Great Britain 1763- Separate from Great Britain? No way! No colonist would even considered this. Ben Franklin- “I never heard in any conversation from any person…the least [desire] for separation from England” 13 years later the colonies separated from England and declared independence