Unit 3: Foundations of US Government 1: British Government Unit 3: Foundations of US Government

British Government Great Britain before the United States existed. First there’s just a monarch, then several revolutions, then a monarch and a parliament who fight each other (not always literally) for power and influence. We will be in this last era. Two major feelings toward government: Limited Government Representative Government

Limited Government The idea that government is not all powerful. What type of government does Great Britain have Four things that will limit the government. Magna Carta Petition of Right The Glorious Revolution The English Bill of Rights

Limited Government Magna Carta Written in 1215. This document declared that the power of the monarch was limited and provided protection against unjust punishment, and the loss of life, liberty, and property except according to law. Writ of Habeas Corpus: “Present body.” Allows parliament to become more influential because it takes away power from the monarch.

Limited Government Petition of Right In 1625, Charles I dissolves parliament. But things don’t work out and people hate him so he calls parliament back in 1628. Parliament forces the king to sign the Petition of Right which will limit his power while giving them more. Parliament gains power.

Limited Government The Glorious Revolution, 1688 Marks the first peaceful transition of monarchical power in UK. William and Mary agreed to rule in a manner designed and agreed upon by Parliament, officially setting up the constitutional monarchy.

Limited Government The English Bill of Rights Provided clear limits on what a ruler could or could not do. Things listed in the English Bill of Rights extended out to the colonies. Incorporated key ideas from the Magna Carta.

The English Bill of Rights Monarchs do not have divine rule. They rule by the consent of the people’s representatives in Parliament. Monarchs must have Parliament’s consent to suspend laws, levy taxes, and/or maintain a (private) army. Monarchs cannot interfere with parliamentary elections and debates. The people have the right to petition the government and have fair and speedy trials by a jury of their peers. There shall be no cruel and unusual punishment or excessive fines or bail.

Representative Government The idea that the government contains elected representatives of the people (delegates) to make laws and conduct government. This would be Parliament. Which type of government is this? Why would people want this?

Parliament Yes, it is spelled correctly. P A R L I A M E N T There are two houses, making it bicameral. The House of Lords is made up of the aristocracy (nobility). The House of Commons is made up of property owners. Robert’s Rules of Order/Parliamentary Procedure Consider one thing at a time Ensure justice, courtesy, and equal treatment Serve the will of the majority Preserve the right of the minority to be heard

British Government But where do these ideas come from?? The Enlightenment: a philosophical movement that changed the way Europe viewed both government, education, and in some countries, religion. L-R: John Locke, Thomas Hobbes, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu

British Government Once again, those ideas are: Locke: Natural rights, social contract Hobbes: Checks and balances Rousseau: Popular sovereignty (voting) Voltaire: adds speech, religion, fair trials to natural rights Montesquieu: separation of powers (equal authority)