1. Origins of American Government
Chapter 2

2. Our Political Beginnings
Section 1
Our Political Beginnings

3. Basic Concepts of Government
Four basic concepts were fundamental to the English system of law which influenced the founders of the U.S.
Rule of Law
Ordered Government
Limited Government
Representative Government

4. Rule of Law
The government and its officials are subject to the same laws as other citizens.

5. Ordered Government
Government has many offices with different functions. i.e. sheriff, coroner, assessor, etc.

6. Limited Government
The government is not all-powerful. Government is restricted to what it can and cannot do.

7. Representative Government
The government should serve the will of the people.

8. Landmark English Documents
The Magna Carta
The Petition of Right
The English Bill of Rights

9. The English Bill of Rights
The Magna Carta
The Petition of Right
The English Bill of Rights
Trial by Jury
Due Process of Law
Rule of Law
Habeas Corpus
Trial by Jury
Due Process of Law
No Martial Law in Times of Peace
No Quartering of Troops without Consent
Parliament Given Power of Taxation
No Standing Army in Peacetime Without Parliamentary Consent
Requires Free Parliamentary Elections
Laws Cannot be Suspended without Parliamentary Consent
No Taxation without Parliamentary Consent
Petition the King
Fair Trial
No Excessive Bail or Cruel and Unusual Punishments

10. The Thirteen Colonies
Colonists had been participating in government for decades before the American Revolution.
Royal Colonies
Directly controlled by crown – royal governor oversaw colonial government.
Colonists given political voice through colonial legislatures.
Proprietary Colonies
Controlled by lord proprietor – proprietor appointed governor who oversaw colonial government.
Charter Colonies
Relatively self-governing colonies.