Origins of American Government Chapter 2

How does the Constitution reflect the times in which it was written?

Our Political Beginnings Chapter 2 Section 1 Our Political Beginnings

What ideas and traditions influenced government in the English colonies?

REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT Basic Concepts of Government The English Colonist brought to North America three Basic notions that helped shaped the government of the USA. ORDERED GOVERNMENT Orderly regulation of relationships with each colony Saw a need for government Examples: sheriff, justice of the peace LIMITED GOVERNMENT Government is restricted in what it can do Each individual has rights that the government cannot take away REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT The idea that government should serve the will of the people People should have a voice of what the government should and should not do

Landmark English Documents Ordered government, limited government, and representative government can be traced to several landmark documents in English history. The MAGNA CARTA – provides protection against the government. The PETITION OF RIGHTS – limited the king’s power. The ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS –protected citizens rights

An English Political Heritage Magna Carta 1215 Government is not all-powerful Provided for the basis of limited government Protection against unjust punishment, loss of life, liberty, and property Certain taxes could not be levied with out popular consent Petition of Rights 1628 Severely limited the king’s power Could not collect tax without Parliament’s consent Could not imprison people without just cause No quartering of troops without permission of the homeowner Cannot declare marital law unless the country was at war English Bill of Rights 1689 Set clear limits on what a leader could or could not do Stated Monarchs do not have absolute authority; rule with consent of the people Must have consent from Parliament to suspend laws, levy taxes., maintain army; right to fair and speedy trial People protected against cruel and unusual punishment

FOUNDATIONS OF AMERICAN RIGHTS Virginia Bill of Rights The rights established in these landmark documents were revolutionary in their day and influenced government in many countries. 1215 Magna Carta 1689 English Bill of Rights 1776 Virginia Bill of Rights 1791 Bill of Rights Trial by jury √ Due Process Private Property No Cruel punishment No excessive bail or fines Right to bear arms Right to petition No unreasonable search or seizures Freedom of speech Freedom of press Freedom of religion

The Thirteen Colonies The settings in which Americans first started to learn government. First permanent English settlement was in Jamestown, Virginia. North America was an escape for more personal and religious freedom

The Coming of Independence Chapter 2 Section 2 The Coming of Independence

What events and ideas led to American independence?

Britain’s Colonial Policies Colonist became use to self-government Great Britain was 3,000 miles away; 2 months to sail to receive correspondence Great Britain responsible for: Colonial defense Foreign affairs Uniform money system Market for colonial trade Little taxes were taken from the colonies King George II was the king of Great Britain at this time.

Britain's Colonial Policies King George III Came to throne in 1760 Started to deal with the colonists more “firmly” Restricted trading and enforced taxes to support British troops in North America

The Stamp Act Congress Stamp Act Required the use of tax stamps on all legal documents, certain business agreements, and on newspapers The Act was denounced by the colonies because they thought the taxes were too high This tax brought the colonies together; they formed the Stamp Act Congress Nine of the thirteen colonies sent delegates Sent a letter to the King called the Declarations of Rights and Grievances Parliament repealed the Stamp Act; frictions still mounted Britain’s harsh tax and trade policies brought resentment to the colonies.

First Continental Congress Intolerable Acts Britain passed new laws for troubles in Boston (Massacre/Tea Party) Wrote the Declaration of Rights Urged colonist to boycott (refusal to buy) all trade with England

Second Continental Congress Nation’s first government President = John Hancock Commander-in-Chief = George Washington Condemned by the British as a act of treason John Hancock President George Washington Commander-in-Chief

The Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson Main author of the Declaration Declared independence on July 4, 1776. King George III -- To Late to Apologize