1. Influences on American Government

2. Magna Carta ESTABLISHED LIMITED GOVERNMENT
In 1215, nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta.
King could not tax without permission.
Gave rights to free men.
Parliament (law making body) was formed.
Magna Carta

3. English Bill of Rights
Parliament made William & Mary sign English Bill of Rights before taking the throne.
Agreed Citizen’s had rights no King could violate
Ended struggle between Parliament & Monarchy

4. Mayflower Compact:
In 1620, Pilgrims set off for North America in search of religious freedom.
Knew they needed to establish a compact (written agreement).
Chose leaders and work together to make laws.
Established a direct democracy.

5. Chapter 4, Lessons 2 Notes
Colonial Government

6. First Colonial Governments
Jamestown:
1st permanent English settlement in North America
First ruled by a governor and council (which the company appointed).
Later on, colony allowed to make own laws to attract settlers.
Colonists elected leaders to an assembly called the House of Burgesses.

7. Colonial Government Governing colonies
Most colonists loyal to England.
Due to distance, began to depend on their own governments.
Parliament passed laws to control colonies.
Colonists ignored laws.
Royal governor appointed by King for each colony.

8. Colonial Government Governing colonies
Most colonists loyal to England.
Due to distance, began to depend on their own governments.
Parliament passed laws to control colonies.
Colonists ignored laws.
Royal governor appointed by King for each colony.

9. Colonial Government Governor vs. Legislatures
Each colony had an elected assembly AND a royal governor appointed by the King.
Assemblies had power to tax & decide how to spend money.
By 1700’s, colonies used to governing themselves.
Felt governor put British interests above colonists

10. Chapter 4
Lesson 3

11. Social & Political Change
Colonists depended on Parliament to protect from King’s abuses. Parliament & King made laws/taxes favoring British interests. Enlightenment – People questioned traditional political beliefs.

12. Social & Political Changes
French & Indian War
Colonists wanted to go west into French areas.
French joined with Native Americans to fight colonists.
British sent troops and defeated French & Native Americans.
Long and costly war.

14. Social & Political Change
New Laws & Taxes
After war, colonists wanted to settle in areas won from French. King George issued proclamation forbidding it.
Colonists enraged.
King George & Parliament then wanted to tax colonists.
Passed Stamp Act – Documents had tax stamps placed on them.

16. Colonial Dissatisfaction Grows
Colonists protested Stamp Act
They boycotted (or refused to buy) British goods.
Claimed only their elected assembly could tax them.
1766- Parliament repealed (cancelled) Stamp Act
However, they passed the Declaratory Act – Parliament had to tax colonies & make all decisions for them.

18. Colonial Dissatisfaction Grows
1770- King & Par. created Townshend Acts taxing glass, paper & tea.
Townshend Acts were repealed, EXCEPT for tax on tea.
1773- Tea Act- No tax on British made tea, making it much cheaper than the colonist’s tea.

19. Colonial Dissatisfaction Grows
Boston Tea Party- Angry colonists disguised as Native Americans dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor.
Parliament responded with Coercive Acts to punish Massachusetts (Boston). Colonists referred to these as Intolerable Acts.

20. VIDEO
BOSTON TEA PARTY

21. Sent a letter to King George III.
First Continental Congress
Met in Sept
Sent a letter to King George III.
Organized boycott of trade with England.
King responded “a fight must decide whether colonies are subject to Britain or independent.”

23. Second Continental Congress
Met again in May 1775.
Battle of Lexington and Concord begins war.
Debated for months on splitting from Britain.
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense. Used ideas of Locke.
Congress finally favored independence.

25. Declaration of Independence
Congress chose a committee to draft a document.
Jefferson was in charge.
Used ideas from Locke.
July 4, 1776, Continental Congress approved the Declaration.
Too Late to Apologize