A long time ago in a country not yet founded….

The Colonies  1600’s – many Europeans immigrated to North America.  Brought ideas about government  Limited Government  Representative government

Limited Government  Monarch’s power, or government is limited, NOT absolute!  Protects people from unjust punishment, loss of life and levying taxes without consent.

English Bill of Rights  Parliament vs. King -- fighting for power.  War!  King Charles beheaded!  Glorious Revolution  William III and Mary II new monarchs  Recognize that Parliament is supreme  Parliament passes English Bill of Rights (limits on the monarchy)

English Bill of Rights  Rule by consent of people!  Parliament has to consent to laws, taxes or maintain an army!  Monarch can’t interfere with elections/debates!  People have right to petition government/speedy trial!  No cruel and unusual punishments!

Representative Government  RG = people elect delegates to make laws/conduct government.  Britain had House of Lords and House of Commons

The Enlightenment  1600’s-1700’s ish.  Society and social relations should be based on reason.  John Locke  Jean-Jacques Rousseau  Government is legit only if people consent to it.

Government in the Colonies (Characteristics)  Each colony had its own governor, a legislature and a court system.  Written constitution  Representatives  Separation of power between executive/ & legislature

Uniting for Independence  Colonies gain a sense of independence.  For awhile, British are OK with this.  Colonies remained loyal to crown because Britain protected them from French.  But… things change.  British defeat French in French/Indian War  Huge war debt!   Pay up, colonies!  George III becomes king.  Kinda crazy.

Taxing the Colonies  The Stamp Act (1765)- Taxes on legal documents, pamphlets, newspapers, dice, playing cards!  Eventually repealed due to violence  The Sugar Act(1764)- Pay taxes for sugar, coffee, wine!  Made you ship through Britain’s port.  The Townshend Act (1776) – Taxes on glass, leads, paper, paint, tea  The Tea Act (1773) – To bail out East India Company!  Resulted in the Boston Tea Party!  The Intolerable Acts (1774)- Took away Massachusetts government & rights.  After Boston tea party

The First Continental Congress  Fall 1774  General meeting of colonies!  Imposed an embargo – Prohibited trade on Britain and NO using British goods.

The Second Continental Congress  Summer 1775  John Hancock assumed roll of president  Organized army and navy, issue money and appoint George Washington as commander of the Continental Army

Ideas of Independence spreading  “The powers of governing still remaining in the hands of the (king), he will have a negative over the whole legislation on this continent. And as he hath shown himself such an inveterate enemy to liberty, and discovered sucha thirst for arbitrary power; is he, or is he not, a proper man to say to these colonies, “You shall make no laws but what I please”. –Thomas Paine.

Ideas of Independence spreading  “Is not America already independent? Why then not declare it? …Can Nations at War be said to be dependent either upon the other? … Upon what Terms will Britain be reconciled with America?.. She will be reconciled upon our abjectly submitting to Tyranny, and asking and receiving Pardon for resisting it. Will this redound to the Honor or the Safety of America? Surley no.” – Samuel Adams, April 3, 1776

Ideas of Independence Spreading  “I did not consider it any part of my charge to invent new ideas,… but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent … it was intended to be an expression of the American mind” – Thomas Jefferson

And so we draft the Declaration of Independence

Dec. of Independence  revolution/declaration-of-independence revolution/declaration-of-independence  continental-congress continental-congress

The Declaration  revolution/declaration-of-independence revolution/declaration-of-independence