Representative Government and Enlightenment Unit 2

Representative Government

What is Representative Government? A government that represents the people It represents the will of the people The people have a voice

Why create a Representative Government? Distance from Europe Colonists needed to make their own laws to keep peace and order Colonists were used to English system (Parliament) Most colonies were self-governing These colonies elected members for an assembly which made their laws. Communities were isolated

How did certain documents help to create Representative Government? Mayflower Compact Established the idea of self-government and majority rule Agreement to form a political body and give it power to make laws for the good of the colony. A social contract where everyone agreed to follow the rules.

How did certain documents help to create Representative Government? Fundamental Orders of Connecticut First written constitution in the colonies People had the right to elect governors, judges and a legislature. Written by the people

How did certain documents help to create Representative Government? Virginia House of Burgesses First representative assembly in the colonies They made laws and agreed to safeguard individual rights. Set a precedent in the colonies for individual rights protected by law. (British law did not provide for individual rights.) Representatives were elected by the people

How could religion and virtue help create a Representative Government? Religious freedom was a major cause for the development of the colonies. Religious groups (Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, etc.) created communities that were self-governed. Penn colony was an experiment in the possibility of equality and citizens involved in the government.

Enlightenment

Enlightenment New way of thinking To shed light upon Impart knowledge to During colonization, there was a period of “forward thinking.” People began to think differently about politics, religion and education.

Thomas Hooker Reverend and leader of a group of Puritans that migrated to Connecticut. Gave a sermon that influenced the writings of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Believed in democratic ideas such as elections conducted by the people, people can limit the power of the government, and the government operates on the consent of the governed.

John Locke Believed liberty (freedom) could exist with political order Government is a social contract with limited powers and has obligations to its creators Government can be modified by its creators at any time. Discussed executive and legislative branches of government Wrote about unalienable rights which included – life, liberty and protection of property

Charles de Montesquieu Expanded on John Locke’s branches of government Added judiciary branch Wrote of separation of powers Believed that in a republic, education is a necessity

William Blackstone English judge Believed strongly in religious tolerance Supported idea of self defense (later became 2nd Amendment) Wrote about “natural rights” which included life and liberty

William Penn Founded the Penn colony - Pennsylvania Wrote Pennsylvania’s first constitution Quakers could live according to their religious beliefs and make political decision according to those beliefs.