1. Representative Government and Enlightenment
Unit 2

2. Representative Government

3. What is Representative Government?
A government that represents the people
It represents the will of the people
The people have a voice

4. Why create a Representative Government?
Distance from Europe
Colonists needed to make their own laws to keep peace and order
Colonists were used to English system (Parliament)
Most colonies were self-governing
These colonies elected members for an assembly which made their laws.
Communities were isolated

5. How did certain documents help to create Representative Government?
Mayflower Compact
Established the idea of self-government and majority rule
Agreement to form a political body and give it power to make laws for the good of the colony.
A social contract where everyone agreed to follow the rules.

6. How did certain documents help to create Representative Government?
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
First written constitution in the colonies
People had the right to elect governors, judges and a legislature.
Written by the people

7. How did certain documents help to create Representative Government?
Virginia House of Burgesses
First representative assembly in the colonies
They made laws and agreed to safeguard individual rights.
Set a precedent in the colonies for individual rights protected by law. (British law did not provide for individual rights.)
Representatives were elected by the people

8. How could religion and virtue help create a Representative Government?
Religious freedom was a major cause for the development of the colonies.
Religious groups (Pilgrims, Puritans, Quakers, etc.) created communities that were self-governed.
Penn colony was an experiment in the possibility of equality and citizens involved in the government.

9. Enlightenment

10. Enlightenment New way of thinking To shed light upon
Impart knowledge to
During colonization, there was a period of “forward thinking.”
People began to think differently about politics, religion and education.

11. Thomas Hooker
Reverend and leader of a group of Puritans that migrated to Connecticut.
Gave a sermon that influenced the writings of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
Believed in democratic ideas such as elections conducted by the people, people can limit the power of the government, and the government operates on the consent of the governed.

12. John Locke Believed liberty (freedom) could exist with political order
Government is a social contract with limited powers and has obligations to its creators
Government can be modified by its creators at any time.
Discussed executive and legislative branches of government
Wrote about unalienable rights which included – life, liberty and protection of property

13. Charles de Montesquieu
Expanded on John Locke’s branches of government
Added judiciary branch
Wrote of separation of powers
Believed that in a republic, education is a necessity

14. William Blackstone English judge
Believed strongly in religious tolerance
Supported idea of self defense (later became 2nd Amendment)
Wrote about “natural rights” which included life and liberty

15. William Penn Founded the Penn colony - Pennsylvania
Wrote Pennsylvania’s first constitution
Quakers could live according to their religious beliefs and make political decision according to those beliefs.