Random Fact of the Day: Skin is the body’s largest organ. An average adult’s skin weighs 8 to 10 lbs, making it three times as heavy as the human brain. Skin is the body’s largest organ. An average adult’s skin weighs 8 to 10 lbs, making it three times as heavy as the human brain.

Chapter 2, Section 1 Our English Heritage

Main Idea English settlers in the colonies established traditions of representative government that they had learned in England.

I. What Influenced Colonial Government ***The English brought with them a history of limited and representative government.*** A. Monarch- A King or Queen A. Monarch- A King or Queen

B. Magna Carta ) Magna Carta- Upheld rights of land- owners giving them equality. 1.) Magna Carta- Upheld rights of land- owners giving them equality. 2.) Limited the power of King/Queen 2.) Limited the power of King/Queen 3.) English Nobles forced King John to sign it. 3.) English Nobles forced King John to sign it. C. Parliament-1300’s 1.) Legislature- A lawmaking body 1.) Legislature- A lawmaking body 2.) Parliament- England’s lawmaking body 2.) Parliament- England’s lawmaking body ***Removed King James II from throne. This peaceful transfer of power was called Glorious Revolution. From then on no one ruler had more power than legislature!!!***

D. Parliament drew up the English Bill of Rights 1. Guaranteed: - Free Speech, Fair Jury, No Cruel and Unusual Punishment - Free Speech, Fair Jury, No Cruel and Unusual Punishment *** Restricted the monarch’s power to raise taxes, raise Army, create special courts***

***In early days, England had NO written laws. People created their own laws.*** E. Judges used precedents 1. Precedents- Rulings in an earlier case that are similar F. Common Law- System of law based on precedent. ***Our laws are based on English common law!***

II. Philisophical Influences A. John Locke ( ) political philosopher that influenced Jefferson. 1. Locke saw government as a social contract between the people and the rulers. 1. Locke saw government as a social contract between the people and the rulers. 2. Natural Rights- Locke argued people are born free, equal, and independent. 2. Natural Rights- Locke argued people are born free, equal, and independent. 3. People give up certain freedoms to obtain certain protections. 3. People give up certain freedoms to obtain certain protections.

***Jean-Jaques Rosseau ( )*** 1. French Philosopher 2. Wrote the Social Contract 3. Social Contract – “man is born free, yet everywhere he is found in chains”.

III. Colonial Traditions of Self Government A. Colony- group of people in one place but ruled by a parent country someplace else. ***Colonists remained loyal to England even after they left for America.*** B. Charter- Written document granting land and authority to set up local governments.

C. Jamestown, Virginia- The first permanent North American colony founded in ***Virginia Company’s charter promised colonists of Jamestown the same liberties as in England.*** ***Virginia Company’s charter promised colonists of Jamestown the same liberties as in England.*** ***Colonists chose representatives called burgesses to meet with the governor.*** D. House of Burgesses- marked the beginning of self government in the colonies.

***Before arriving in Plymouth, Pilgrims drew up the Mayflower Compact.*** E. Mayflower Compact- a written plan to set up direct democracy when they arrived in America. F. Compact- An agreement, or contract among people. Majority rules.

IV. Early Colonial Governments ***Eventually, English colonies all along east coast followed the examples of the Mayflower Compact and the House of Burgesses.*** A. Each colony had a governor, elected legislature, modeled after the English Parliament. B. The Colonists took on more power over time. ***Colonists grew used to making their own decisions, while the King and Parliament were preoccupied in England…***

Mini Quiz!!! Green Day-Oasis Remix 1. “A law making body”…? 2. What is a monarch? What country had one? 3. What was the English Parliament? 4. Did England have written laws? How did people know what the laws were? 5. “System of law based on precedents”? 6. The first form of self government in the colonies was called what? Where was it located?