1. Origins of the American Political System
August 20, 2008

2. There are three essential concepts of government in the American political system:
Ordered Government
Limited Government
Representative Government

3. These ideas can be traced back to several English documents:
The Magna Carta
The Petition of Right
The Bill of Rights (English Bill)

4. English Colonies in North America have been referred to as “13 schools of government” and were extremely influential in the development of the American political system.
What does this quotation tell us?

5. The colonies were established based upon a written charter and each one developed their own character and style.

6. Royal Colonies Were subject to the Crown (Eight) Contributions:
Had a bicameral legislature
Lower house had power to tax
Governor appointed by the King

7. Proprietary Colonies Organized by a proprietor (Three)
Governments were much like those of the Royal colonies

8. Charter Colonies
These colonies (two) were based upon charters granted to the colonists
Largely self-governing
Governors were elected and legislature free to make laws