Origins of English Rights

Magna Carta and English Bill of Rights Magna Carta: Document signed in 1215 that limited the king’s power, guaranteed jury trials, and limited king’s right to tax and raise an army. Sets up foundation for limited government- the government must follow the law English Bill of Rights: The 1689 English Bill of Rights had a massive influence on the colonies in North America and the Constitution of the United States. The most important Articles of the 1689 English Bill of Rights are as follows: A frequently summoned Parliament and free elections Members should have freedom of speech in Parliament No armies should be raised in peacetime No taxes could be levied, without the authority of parliament Laws should not be dispensed with, or suspended, without the consent of parliament No excessive fines should imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted Are the Articles of the English Bill of Rights sounding familiar?

ENLIGHTENMENT PHILOSOPHERS Montesquieu John Locke Voltaire Voltaire said: “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend to the death your RIGHT to say it.” Rousseau

Ideas of the enlightenment Social contract theory: says that government comes from the consent of the governed. *People agree to have a government as long as it does not violate their rights and freedoms. In return they agreed to follow the law of the contract…

(you are born with them) Natural rights: Rights that are so basic that they cannot be taken away. (you are born with them) -John Locke - Life, LIBERTY ,AND PROPERTY -Declaration of Independence - LIFE LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

Mayflower compact Social contract of the Pilgrims. Created in 1620 Became the foundation of law at the Plymouth colony in Massachusetts and ESTABLISHED THE IDEA OF SELF GOVERNMENT IN THE COLONIES.

What is significant about Jamestown? House of Burgesses Established in Jamestown, VA in 1619 first representative governing body In the New World. (what does that mean?... Representative governing body) What is significant about Jamestown?

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut The first governmental Constitution in the American colonies

Pilgrims and the Puritans

New England Puritans Thousands of Puritans settled in New England to practice religious freedom and they established governments in Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire based on the religious beliefs of the Puritans. Ironically, they did not allow religious freedom for Settlers who were not Puritan. Church attendance was mandatory and punishments for violation of laws was harsh. Puritans believed in witchcraft and in the 1690s, twelve women were executed after being convicted of witchcraft in Salem Mass.

Religious Toleration Roger Williams believed the native Americans should have been compensated for their land and disagreed with the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and was exiled. He started a new colony (Rhode Island) and granted religious freedom there. William Penn William Penn, a Quaker, established a Colony (Pennsylvania) to allow the Quakers and other religions to freely practice their beliefs

Maryland’s Act of Toleration Lord Baltimore was granted a charter in the New World and founded a colony for Catholics. England was a protestant nation and Catholics were not welcomed. In 1649, the Maryland legislature passed the Act of Toleration which allowed both Protestant and Catholics to freely practice their religion. This was a major milestone for religious freedom in America

Slavery in the Colonies Triangular Trade

Middle Passage The Middle Passage refers to the forced transportation of West Africans to North America as part of the Atlantic Slave Trade. *Between 1450 and 1850 more than 12 million Africans were exported from Africa on slave ships

Indentured Servants In the early years of the colonies, the labor supply came from Indentured Servants. They agreed to work for a landowner for a period of 4 to 7 years in return for passage to America, food and housing. By the late 1600’s the system of Slavery increased to meet the demand for labor in the American Colonies.

The Great Awakening A religious revival that swept across the colonies in the 1730s. Jonathon Edwards (Puritan) and George Whitefield (Anglican) were two notable preachers. New colleges were founded to train new ministers to preach. Today’s Ivy League Schools such as Princeton, Yale, Brown and Dartmouth were all established around this time. The Great Awakening helped to create a sense of spirit and independence that would be a factor in the move toward independence years later.

Freedom of the Press John Peter Zenger was found not guilty of libel (printing scandalous lies) for publishing a story about the corrupt governor of New York colony. Zenger’s Victory in this trial set the stage for freedom of the press in America.