Our Political Beginnings

English Documents English beliefs in limited government came over with settlers, explorers, and traders. Important concepts: ordered government, limited government, and representative government.

Magna Carta This limited the power of government especially when taxing people And, also, provided citizens with fundamental rights such as trial by jury and due process of law. (No longer could the king throw someone in jail just because he felt like it.)

English Petition of Rights This document established that men have rights and established the concept of rule of law. Basic rights included: Guarantee of trial by jury Protection against marshal law Protection against quartering of troops Protection of private property

English Bill of Rights Signed by William and Mary of Orange in 1688. Once again, limited the power of the monarch: No standing army in peacetime Free elections Right of petition Parliamentary checks on power

English Colonies The basic rights of Englishmen were guaranteed to the colonists by the charters of the Virginia Company of London. (idea of limited government)

Coming of Independence The colonies began to rebel against the British government through several acts: The Stamp Act The Boston Tea Party The First and Second Continental Congresses

The Declaration of Independence The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson. It stated the complaints that the colonist had against King George in England It was adopted on July 4th, 1776