Self-Government

On your paper What do you think the stars on this flag represent? What is a contract? What does “self-government” mean to you?

The 13 Colonies and their flag New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia

Imagine back to the 1700s Background Info: England is a “superpower” with the strongest Navy and control of all ocean trade Mercantilism: A system where the mother country (England) establishes colonies (13 colonies) to use as a trading partner. Example: England establishes colonies in America

Background Why did people come to the colonies? Economic opportunity: the chance to make money, especially in the South through agriculture (farming) Religious Freedom: Puritans and pilgrims were escaping the Church of England. They came to New England to reform their church. Eventually these people would break away from England and start their own government know as the United States of America

New Ideas about Government Influenced the Colonies Enlightenment: 18th century (1700-1799) period of thinking that recognized the natural rights of man, freedom, equality and the social contract Natural Rights: all people are born with certain rights. Life, Liberty, Property. It is the government’s job to protect these rights. Self Government: People agree to form and administer a gov’t themselves Social Contract: the Gov’t has a contract with the people. People come together, agree to form a gov’t which must protect the people & their rights, and produce a common good. So What?? Result of the Enlightenment: Changed government in Europe and America and eventually leads to the Revolution.

Colonial Gov’t = Democratic Experimentation Influenced by the Enlightenment ideas of the Social Contract, natural rights, freedom, democracy and equality the American colonies experimented with democracy.

Exit Slip Choose one of the following documents: Magna Carta Virginia House of Burgesses Zenger Trial Mayflower Compact Create a rap, poem, or letter explaining 4-6 facts about this document and its impact on American society today

EOC Practice 2 Why do people form governments? To create new countries To collect taxes To fight enemies To provide laws to help people live together.

EOC Practice 3 Which of the following rights was established in the Magna Carta? Free people could not be arrested & imprisoned without a fair trial Citizens have the right to petition the government for changes in laws Citizens have freedom of speech Citizens have the right to a fair punishment is found guilty of a crime

EOC Practice 4 Historically where have self-government and direct democracy worked best? Most communities large or small Small communities Medium to large communities New countries

EOC Practice 5 Self-Government includes which of the following ideas? The constitution guarantees certain freedoms People have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness If government ignores the will of the people have the right to change their government. People do not have to obey the government they form.