Chap 2, Sec 1

 Time Period: 1600’s  Many people came to America(13 Colonies) during the 1600’s. France, Germany, Sweden, Spain, Africa, etc. England  Most were from England  England established and governed the 13 original colonies.  English colonists brought ideas of government with them.

 One idea that was very influential to Colonial Government was the idea of Limited Gov.  It was accepted in England by the 1600’s  First appeared in the Magna Carta (1215)  King John was forced to sign it, acknowledging that the power of the monarchy or government was not absolute.

 It originally applied only to nobles, but would eventually gain importance to future generations that opposed “absolute authority”.  Strong monarchs continued to dominate England for centuries in spite of the Magna Carta. But, Parliament did have some power.

 In 1625, Charles I was crowned King of England. He dissolved Parliament and began violating “rights” of subjects.  After he re-convened Parliament, they insisted he sign the Petition of Right.  It severely limited the power of the King.Pg 36

 1688(40 yrs after the Petition to Right), James II was in power before being removed by Parliament.  William III and Mary II were the new rulers after this peaceful transfer of power. They swore an oath to England to uphold all laws passed by Parliament.  The English Bill of Rights was soon passed by Parliament.

 Would be VERY important to the American Colonies.  It set clear limits on what a ruler could and could not do.  Applied to the people of England as well as the 13 colonies.  Had elements that were found in the Magna Carta. Key ideas are on page 37.

Colonists had a firm belief in this notion that people elect delegates to make laws and run government. English Parliament Upper Chamber-House of Lords Lower Chamber-House of Commons

 English Philosophers had a HUGE impact on the American Colonies ideas surrounding government.  Locke, Voltaire, Rousseau all believed in “Natural Rights”. Ben Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison were avid readers of these men…

 Locke reasoned that in a state of nature (before government), people were born free, equal, and independent.  These “laws of nature” provided the right to life, liberty, and property.  Furthermore, if a government violated the laws of nature, the people had the right to change the government. Sound Familiar?

 Each colony had its own Governor, Legislature, and Court System.  Some practices trace their origins to this period: Written Constitution, Legislature of elected representatives, Separation of Powers

 Mayflower Compact First example of many plans for colonial self government. Great Fundamentals- first basic system of laws in the English Colonies. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut- America’s first formal constitution(charter).

 Virginia House of Burgesses First legislature in the American Colonies.  All of the colonies developed legislatures to deal with the challenges of a growing nation. Pg 40.  Were these really considered representative? Land ownership, etc?

 Was laid out in the Charters of each colony. 1. Governor- The King’s Agent-Executive Branch 2. Legislatures- The people’s Agent-Leg. Branch 3. Colonial Courts-The Judicial Branch. Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Laws, influential in spreading this concept known as Separation of Powers. LinkLink to AU History Outline