The Roots of American Democracy Chapter 2, section 1

English Political Heritage American democracy was shaped by our English political heritage, colonial experiments in self-government, and a range of intellectual influences. Colonial government would never be an exact copy of the British system. Colonial leaders adapted old ideas, based on English traditions, to a new environment.

English Political Heritage During the 1600s, people from many different nations came to North America Most colonists were from England England established and governed the original 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast

English Political Heritage English colonies brought ideas about gov’t to America that had been developing in England 2 key principles---limited gov’t and representative gov’t

Limited Government Idea that gov’t was not all-powerful had been accepted in England Idea first appeared in the Magna Carta (King John forced to sign in 1215)

Limited Government Magna Carta provided basis for limited gov’t, provided protection against unjust punishment and gov’t action 1st applied only to nobility, but extended to everyone

Bell Ringer January 25 Why did the first immigrants who came to America already have some thoughts of self-government and independence?

Limited Government 1625—King Charles I tried to strengthen power of the throne…dissolved Parliament, lodged troops in homes Civil War broke out – Parliament (Roundhead Puritans) under Oliver Cromwell vs. Royalists (Charles I)

Limited Government 1628---Parliament called back and forced king to sign Petition of Right, limiting power of the king King could no longer collect taxes without Parliament’s consent or imprison people without just cause

Limited Government 1688—”Glorious Revolution” occurred in England with William and Mary placed on throne by Parliament W & M swore to govern England according to the “laws of Parliament” Glorious Revolution established constitutional monarchy.

Limited Government Parliament also passed English Bill of Rights—set clear limits on what a ruler could and could not do Free speech and protection from cruel and unusual punishment guaranteed Applied to the American colonists as well as to the people in England (colonists believed they had certain individual rights when they migrated to the New World) Therefore they will expect a certain measure of self- government as they sign the Mayflower Compact and later form the VA House of Burgesses

Representative Government Colonists had a firm belief in a representative gov’t, which had existed in England Parliament was a representative assembly with the power to enact laws

Parliament---consisted of 2 chambers House of Lords House of Commons Upper chamber Included members of the aristocrats Lower chamber Mostly merchants and property owners elected by other property owners

The English Colonies

The English Colonies The English Colonists brought with them to North America different political theories methods of forming governments They experimented with early forms of government in the colonies

Government in the Colonies From the colonies our present system of American gov’t evolved Each colony had own their own gov’t consisting of a governor, legislature, and court system Great Britain still believed colonists owed allegiance to the monarch, for many years colonists agreed

Government in the Colonies Representative assemblies also became established in the colonies Mayflower Compact – 1st written form of government in the colonies The Virginia House of Burgessess—1st legislature in America (1619) Legislatures dominated colonial government Representative government was an established tradition in America before 1776

The Mayflower Compact Pilgrims aboard Mayflower signed this before settling in Massachusetts They agreed to form a society formed by majority rule and based on the consent of the people

Mayflower Compact Each colony had a constitution Mayflower Compact was 1st example of many colonial plans for self-govt, created by Pilgrims to choose their own leaders and make their own laws

The Mayflower Compact November 11, 1620

The Mayflower Compact November 11, 1620 Written and signed before the Pilgrims disembarked from the ship. Not a constitution, but an agreement to form a crude govt. and submit to majority rule. Signed by 41 adult males. Led to adult male settlers meeting in assemblies to make laws in TOWN MEETINGS.

Covenant Theology “Covenant of Grace”: “Social Covenant”: between Puritan communities and God. Contrary to Catholicism (Covenant of Works) “Social Covenant”: Between members of Puritan communities with each other. Required mutual watchfulness. No toleration of deviance or disorder. No privacy.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Colonists in Connecticut created the first written constitution in the English colonies It established a set of laws that limited the power of government and gave all men the right to choose people to serve as judges This document protected the rights of its citizens Soon after, other colonies followed and began to establish a system of limited govt in America

Types of English Colonies Proprietary Colony: An individual or group is given land by the King. The proprietor finances the start of the colony and can appoint officials and make laws for the colony

Types of English Colonies Royal Colony: Directly controlled by king through appointed governor Charter Colony: Operated under charters agreed to by colony and king; had most independence from the Crown

Types of English Colonies

Republicanism A set of ideals that can be traced back to Ancient Greece and Rome – values citizen participation, the public good, and civic virtue Puts forth the idea that people should place the common good over their private interests

Republicanism Niccolo Machiavelli Theory of a republic based on civic virtue Argued that a republic could survive only if its citizens participated in government For a republic to thrive it had to be of and for the people

Enlightenment Thinkers John Locke – Jean Jacques Rousseau – SOCIAL CONTRACT THINKERS Adam Smith (Economics Class) – Wealth of Nations – economic freedoms and how to protect property Voltaire – freedoms of speech and religion William Blackstone – how to use the law to protect peoples rights to life, liberty and property

Separation of Powers Principal of separation of powers widely popularized by Charles-Louis Montesquieu in his book The Spirit of the Laws