Chapter 2 : Lesson 1 Government in Colonial America
What influenced the development of our government institutions? Essential Question What influenced the development of our government institutions?
Cornell Note: Terms Write on left column: Magna Carta Virginia House of Burgesses 3. May Flower Compact 4. Charter 6. English Bill of Rights 5. Colonial Government
Magna Carta (1215) Also known as Great Charter only dealt with nobility at the start
The Magna Carta, 1215 King John, an English King constantly demanded money and men for wars from his feudal barons. The feudal barons in 1215 forced King John to agree that he had “no right” to demand their property without their consent. Their consent was to be agreed upon in a grand council. King must now get consent of the people
The Signing of the Magna Carta, 1215
The Magna Carta, 1215 Two important aspects of the Magna Carta: there must be a set of laws governing how the King and his subjects will deal with each other the King is not the highest authority and that he is bound by a higher law that limits his authority (rule of law)
Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619 1619 the first elected representative government appears in Virginia. House of Burgesses imposed taxes and ran the colony It is modeled after the English Parliament. English Parliament was England’s lawmaking elected government.
Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619
Mayflower Compact, 1620 1620, Pilgrims arriving near the New England Coast agree to write a contract that allows for self-government. The Mayflower Compact promised that every adult male would vote for the Governor and his advisors on a yearly basis. It supports the idea of majority rule.
Signing of the Mayflower Compact
Charter A written instrument from the authorities of a society granting rights and privileges
English Bill of Rights (1688) Set clear limits on what a ruler could and could not do Set up 5 key ideas:
English Bill of Rights Monarchs do not have absolute authority Monarch must have Parliaments consent to suspend laws, levy taxes, or maintain army Monarch cannot interfere with parliamentary elections and debates People have right to fair and speedy trial No cruel and unusual punishment
Colonial Government Each English colony had its own governor, a legislature, and a court system Each had: A written constitution Legislatures of elected representatives Separation of powers between governors and legislature
Colonial Government King appointed the governor in his place Governor appointed by King and had final say on laws Assemblies made laws, passed taxes, paid governor’s salary which made the governor listen to the assemblies
The way our government works today can be traced to important documents in history:
Review Question: Chapter 2 : Lesson 1 Read pages 36-41 and answer Review Questions on page 41. Hand in Google Class Room.