The colonial experience America’s Political Heritage The colonial experience

I. Classical roots Greece Direct democracy Very small number of voters Free, male, native-born citizens only Citizens met in agora (marketplace) to discuss needs or to hold trials

I. Classical roots Rome—first republic Senate composed of patricians Several assemblies representing tribes, military veterans, and other groups

I. Classical roots (ctd) Rome—first republic Tribunes of the plebs (common people) had veto power Natural rights and citizenship extended gradually to non- native-born

II. English tradition Magna Carta (1215) Parliament Challenged monarch to limit his power At first, only applied to nobles— later extended to all citizens and to the colonies Right to a fair trial Right to travel freely Habeas corpus Parliament

STOP!!!

II. English tradition English Bill of Rights (1689) Monarch could not: limit free speech in Parliament collect taxes without Parliament’s approval Guaranteed rights to all Englishmen, not just nobles Right to petition government Right to trial by jury

III. Enlightenment (Age of Reason) Power of reason Natural law, natural rights John Locke—government exists for the people Right to life, liberty, property Can disobey government that does not protect those rights

III. Enlightenment (Age of Reason) Philosophes in France Voltaire—freedom of religion (no established church) Montesquieu—separation of powers to prevent government growing too strong

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Steps toward independence 1774 First Continental Congress Representatives from 12 colonies Wanted England to respect colonists’ rights Threatened to cut off trade 1775 Second Continental Congress Patrick Henry argues for independence

Steps toward independence 1776 Thomas Paine published Common Sense: – “There is something absurd in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island.”

XI. Declaration of Independence Continental Congress needed to convince people of need for independence Wanted to explain to European countries why colonists deserved freedom Declaration written by Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, and John Adams

Declaration of Independence Reflects Enlightenment views of John Locke – Natural rights “… all men are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights … life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”