1. The Development of Self-Government
Colonial Governments
The Development of Self-Government

2. Introduction Create a list of the top ten rules of your household.
What type of government is this?
Dictatorship or Democracy

3. If the colonists believed they were English citizens, and that English law and rights followed them to the colonies, why would the colonists feel the need to create their own government?
Write down one explanation

4. An Abuse of Power
At the beginning of the 13th century, King John rules over England
As England’s monarch, or king, John used unfair practices to control the people such as
Unfair taxes
Rules that limited individual rights
Dictatorial style of leadership

5. Establishing the Foundation for Self-government
King John’s actions angered the people of England, especially the English nobles
Using their political and economical power, the nobles forced King John to sign a charter protecting the fundamental rights of the people
Signed on June, 15, 1215, this charter became known as the Magna Carta, or the “Great Charter” .

6. The Magna Carta
The charter limited the king’s power and protected specific individual rights of the people. Rights like:
Due process of the law
Property protection
Proper taxation
Although many of the rights protected only a small portion of the population-the wealthy nobles-it served as a foundation for future protection of rights for all people

7. Importance of the Magna Carta
1st written Western document acknowledging the protection of individual rights
1st document that limited government’s power. Limits include:
Protection against cruel & unusual punishment
Protection against loss of life, liberty & property
Right to a fair and speedy trial by a jury of one’s peers
Taxes could not be levied withot the approval of the people
Served as an example for future English and Colonial documents

8. Establishing Self-governments
The English men and women who traveled to the New World considered themselves to be English citizens
As citizens of England, they expected to maintain their English rights while in the American colonies
To ensure they maintained their rights, they established colonial governments that would support self-govenrment

9. Government Structure Governor
Governors were appointed by the king/land owner
Court system
Legislature
People had the power to elected their representatives to make laws that were for the common good of the colony
Lived under the laws that they created
Individual rights were protected
Jury trials
Taxes and armies can’t be raised

10. Virginia House of Burgesses
1619
Served as the 1st representative government (assembly) in the colonies
A colonial assembly consisted of persons elected as representatives to govern over the people
They determined the laws and government policies for the people of their colony

11. The Mayflower Compact 1st governing document created in the New World
Its importance lies in the belief that government is a form of covenant and that for government to be legit, it must derive from the consent of the people
In 1620, the Pilgrims and Puritans outside the jurisdiction of Virginia law, the male members of the Mayflower drew up a compact that guaranteed a democratic system of government and the protection of individual rights

12. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Served as the 1st colonial constitution
Adopted in 1639, the Connecticut’s constitution protected the individual rights of their colonists.
Government limitations are stated
Secret ballots are used to elect their representatives
The constitution also established a religious tolerant government and helped to serve as an example for future colonial constitutions

13. The English Bill of Rights 1689
Served as an example for colonial bill of rights, as well as the first ten amendments of the Bill of Rights. Such as….
Freedom of speech and debate
Guarantees individual freedoms against the power of government
Protection from excessive bail, right to petittion and the right of jury trials

14. Limits on Liberties Women Minorities The Right to Vote
Had fewer rights than free, white males
Minorities
Had almost no rights
The Right to Vote
White Christian men
Over the age of 21
Own property

15. Expanding Delf-Governments
Source of government power
People
Elect representatives
Change/replace government
Give consent
Responsibilities of government
Create laws for the good of the colony
Protect individual rights
Government will be organized

16. Relationship between government and citizens
Citizens govern themselves
Government sets the rules and rights of citizens which are regulated
People give up some of their power in exchange for protection of their rights

17. Connections
Was there a connection between the types of government found in the English colonies and the reasons that the colonies were founded?
Did the English colonists bring their ideas of government to the new colonies?
What were they?
Did they change anything or add?
What impact did these early govts had on its future?