The Development of Self-Government Colonial Governments The Development of Self-Government

Introduction Create a list of the top ten rules of your household. What type of government is this? Dictatorship or Democracy

If the colonists believed they were English citizens, and that English law and rights followed them to the colonies, why would the colonists feel the need to create their own government? Write down one explanation

An Abuse of Power At the beginning of the 13th century, King John rules over England As England’s monarch, or king, John used unfair practices to control the people such as Unfair taxes Rules that limited individual rights Dictatorial style of leadership

Establishing the Foundation for Self-government King John’s actions angered the people of England, especially the English nobles Using their political and economical power, the nobles forced King John to sign a charter protecting the fundamental rights of the people Signed on June, 15, 1215, this charter became known as the Magna Carta, or the “Great Charter” .

The Magna Carta The charter limited the king’s power and protected specific individual rights of the people. Rights like: Due process of the law Property protection Proper taxation Although many of the rights protected only a small portion of the population-the wealthy nobles-it served as a foundation for future protection of rights for all people

Importance of the Magna Carta 1st written Western document acknowledging the protection of individual rights 1st document that limited government’s power. Limits include: Protection against cruel & unusual punishment Protection against loss of life, liberty & property Right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of one’s peers Taxes could not be levied withot the approval of the people Served as an example for future English and Colonial documents

Establishing Self-governments The English men and women who traveled to the New World considered themselves to be English citizens As citizens of England, they expected to maintain their English rights while in the American colonies To ensure they maintained their rights, they established colonial governments that would support self-govenrment

Government Structure Governor Governors were appointed by the king/land owner Court system Legislature People had the power to elected their representatives to make laws that were for the common good of the colony Lived under the laws that they created Individual rights were protected Jury trials Taxes and armies can’t be raised

Virginia House of Burgesses 1619 Served as the 1st representative government (assembly) in the colonies A colonial assembly consisted of persons elected as representatives to govern over the people They determined the laws and government policies for the people of their colony

The Mayflower Compact 1st governing document created in the New World Its importance lies in the belief that government is a form of covenant and that for government to be legit, it must derive from the consent of the people In 1620, the Pilgrims and Puritans outside the jurisdiction of Virginia law, the male members of the Mayflower drew up a compact that guaranteed a democratic system of government and the protection of individual rights

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Served as the 1st colonial constitution Adopted in 1639, the Connecticut’s constitution protected the individual rights of their colonists. Government limitations are stated Secret ballots are used to elect their representatives The constitution also established a religious tolerant government and helped to serve as an example for future colonial constitutions

The English Bill of Rights 1689 Served as an example for colonial bill of rights, as well as the first ten amendments of the Bill of Rights. Such as…. Freedom of speech and debate Guarantees individual freedoms against the power of government Protection from excessive bail, right to petittion and the right of jury trials

Limits on Liberties Women Minorities The Right to Vote Had fewer rights than free, white males Minorities Had almost no rights The Right to Vote White Christian men Over the age of 21 Own property

Expanding Delf-Governments Source of government power People Elect representatives Change/replace government Give consent Responsibilities of government Create laws for the good of the colony Protect individual rights Government will be organized

Relationship between government and citizens Citizens govern themselves Government sets the rules and rights of citizens which are regulated People give up some of their power in exchange for protection of their rights

Connections Was there a connection between the types of government found in the English colonies and the reasons that the colonies were founded? Did the English colonists bring their ideas of government to the new colonies? What were they? Did they change anything or add? What impact did these early govts had on its future?