1. Chapter 2 Origins of American Government
What makes us American?

2. I. The Colonial Period and the Roots of American Democracy

3. A. History of Representative Government
First form dates to the 11th century
Nobles and Religious leaders served as advisors to the King of England
This advisory council evolved into a bicameral, or two house legislature known as Parliament
Upper House called the House of Lords
Lower House called the House of Commons

4. B. Limited Government
Nobles rebelled after the King raised their taxes
Known as “The Great Charter,” Magna Carta was signed by King John of England in 1215
First step towards the “Rule of Law” in England
Held Kings and Queens accountable for breaking English laws

5. C. English Colonies Types of Colonies
Proprietary Colony – based on a grant of land by the English monarch to a proprietor who financed the start of the colony
Pennsylvania and Maryland
Royal Colony – directly controlled by the king through appointed governors
Delaware, Georgia, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North and South Carolina, and Virginia.
Charter Colonies – operated under charters agreed to by the colony and the King.
Connecticut and Rhode Island

6. 1607 – Jamestown becomes the first permanent settlement in North America
1619 – Jamestown House of Burgesses meets for the first time
Colonists were influential in shaping the development of government in the U.S.

7. Primary Source – Charter of the Virginia Colony, 1606
“Our subjects which shall dwell and inhabit within every or any of the said several colonies and plantations, and every of their children, which shall be born within any of the limits and precincts of the said several colonies and plantations shall have and enjoy all the liberties, franchises and immunities, within any of our other dominions, to all intents and purposes, as if they had been abiding and born within this our realm of England.”

8. D. Consent of the Governed
Mayflower Compact is signed by the Pilgrims in 1620
People were bound together by their religious faith and the need to survive harsh conditions
Popular Sovereignty – Government is given its authority by the consent of the people being governed by it.

9. Mayflower Compact Video

10. E. Rights of the Individual
Conflict between King Charles I of England and Parliament led to the signing of the Petition of Right in 1628
slightly limited the power of the Monarch to violate individual rights of English citizens
This conflict resulted in the English Civil War in 1642, culminating in the execution of King Charles I
English Bill of Rights – stated the monarch could no longer make decisions without the consent of Parliament and included protections for the individual

11. The English Bill of Rights
The Glorious Revolution of 1688
Secured Parliament’s dominance over the Monarchy
Included a Right to Petition – freedom to request the government to change
could not change laws or tax without the consent of Parliament
Right to a trial by a jury of peers
protected against cruel and unusual punishment

12. F. The Enlightenment 18th century intellectual movement in Europe
deeply concerned with liberty and individual rights
People had natural rights to life, liberty, and property – John Locke
Social Contract Theory – Rousseau
Economic Freedoms – Adam Smith
Free Speech and Religion - Voltaire