1. Early Government Influences Magna Carta Virginia House of Burgesses Mayflower Compact Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

2. Magna Carta 1215 No one was above the Law, even the King Limited the power of the King Protected the rights of the People

3. Virginia House of Burgesses Created in 1619 Symbol of Representative Government (1 st elected assembly in America) Governor appointed by the King George Washington and Thomas Jefferson served in the House Made up of elected officials (males over 17 who owned land)

4. Mayflower Compact Signed in November of 1620 Composed fair and equal laws through the will of the majority (majority rule) Allowed for self government with colonist agreeing to obey its rules

5. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Created in 1639 by Thomas Hooker 1 st Written Constitution in America Set up a detailed system of government where power rested with the people (self government) “The foundation of authority is laid in the free consent of the People” Thomas Hooker

6. Churches

7. Religion Churches provided a means to discuss issues in public Many Protestant churches have for many years elected officials to govern the church