English Government

Who made the laws? Legislature – lawmaking body of a government Legislature – lawmaking body of a government Parliament – legislative body in Britain Parliament – legislative body in Britain

Magna Carta In 1215, nobles forced King John to sign this document giving nobles certain rights, especially over land ownership In 1215, nobles forced King John to sign this document giving nobles certain rights, especially over land ownership Showed the king would now have limits to power by guaranteeing no one was above the law Showed the king would now have limits to power by guaranteeing no one was above the law Rule of Law Rule of Law Viewed as the most important document in the history of government Viewed as the most important document in the history of government Established the concept of limited government Established the concept of limited government Page 768 Page 768

Magna Carta

Parliament King Henry III met with nobles regularly King Henry III met with nobles regularly Developed into Parliament or the legislative body for England Developed into Parliament or the legislative body for England Britain moved from an Authoritarian Absolute Monarchy to a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy by the late 1300s Britain moved from an Authoritarian Absolute Monarchy to a Democratic Constitutional Monarchy by the late 1300s

Key Events in English Government History 1688 – Parliament removed King James from his position 1688 – Parliament removed King James from his position Showed parliament was the true power of England Showed parliament was the true power of England 1689 – English Bill of Rights 1689 – English Bill of Rights Gave parliament power to raise taxes, make laws and control the army Gave parliament power to raise taxes, make laws and control the army Monarch could not suspend Parliamentary laws Monarch could not suspend Parliamentary laws Parliament is the TRUE power Parliament is the TRUE power Parliament would be elected freely Parliament would be elected freely Free speech & a right to trial were established Free speech & a right to trial were established Banned cruel & unusual punishment Banned cruel & unusual punishment

Common Law Based on precedents (an earlier ruling in a similar situation) Based on precedents (an earlier ruling in a similar situation) Rests on Court decisions rather than lawmakers Rests on Court decisions rather than lawmakers

The Enlightenment Greatest influence on American government Greatest influence on American government Philosophy in which reason or ability to think was used as the basis for authority Philosophy in which reason or ability to think was used as the basis for authority Examples Examples Documents: Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights Documents: Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights People: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson People: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Paine, Thomas Jefferson

John Locke English philosopher – believed in limited government English philosopher – believed in limited government Wrote the Second Treatise of Government Wrote the Second Treatise of Government Helped develop the Social Contract Theory with Jean Jacques Rousseau Helped develop the Social Contract Theory with Jean Jacques Rousseau Government is bound by contract with its people but people give up absolute freedom Government is bound by contract with its people but people give up absolute freedom In exchange, the government protects the rights of citizens In exchange, the government protects the rights of citizens The role of government is protect citizens’ rights The role of government is protect citizens’ rights If the government is not doing this, the people can redefine their government (EX: vote them out of office) If the government is not doing this, the people can redefine their government (EX: vote them out of office) If the government itself infringes on the rights of people or seriously undermines the people, the people have a right to revolution If the government itself infringes on the rights of people or seriously undermines the people, the people have a right to revolution

John Locke cont. Natural Rights Natural Rights People have certain rights that cannot be taken away People have certain rights that cannot be taken away Life, Liberty & Property Life, Liberty & Property His ideas led to the rebirth of democracy His ideas led to the rebirth of democracy “Whenever Law ends, Tyranny begins.” – Second Treatise of Government “Whenever Law ends, Tyranny begins.” – Second Treatise of Government Class Discussion: What do you think he means by this quote? Class Discussion: What do you think he means by this quote?

Principals of American Democracy Rule of Law – Magna Carta – no one is above the law Rule of Law – Magna Carta – no one is above the law Limited Government – Magna Carta & John Locke– government is not all powerful, it may only do what people have given it to do Limited Government – Magna Carta & John Locke– government is not all powerful, it may only do what people have given it to do Consent of the Governed – John Locke – citizens source of power Consent of the Governed – John Locke – citizens source of power Individual rights – John Locke – seen in the Declaration of Independence – protected by the government Individual rights – John Locke – seen in the Declaration of Independence – protected by the government

Principals of American Democracy cont. Representative Government – government represents the wants & needs of citizens Representative Government – government represents the wants & needs of citizens Majority Rule – When differences arise, we will abide by what most people want Majority Rule – When differences arise, we will abide by what most people want Minority Rights – at the same time as going with the majority, we will respect the rights of the minority Minority Rights – at the same time as going with the majority, we will respect the rights of the minority