Our Political Beginnings

Basic Concepts of Government 16 th century the beginning of our government Ordered government – Need regulation of relationships Sheriff, county, grand jury and coroner

Limited Government – Government is not all powerful – Cannot take away some individual rights Representative Government – Government should serve the will of the people – “government of, by, and for the people“

Magna Carta Signed by King John (forced) – Trial by jury – Due process of law – Protection of life, liberty and property Power only planned for the upper classes English parliament slowly grows over 400 years – Force the next king to limit the kings rights further No martial law, shelter kings troops with out consent King must also obey the law

English Bill of Rights Parliament limited power further 1688 – Prohibited a standing army in peacetime – Elections of parliament to be free – Prevented excessive bail – Guaranteed a fair trial Founding Fathers borrowed ideas and built upon many of these

English Colonies Colonies were experiments in government – VA – commercial, MA – religious and GA – debtors – Each based on a charter – written grant for land – A bicameral legislature emerged Governor appointed by a king – Often ruled with an iron fist, following the kings orders Governors council appointed by the king (one house) Another house was voted upon by land holders

Some colonies had a unicameral legislature – One house – Connecticut and Rhode Island – Governed themselves – Citizens could appeal decisions