1. Essential Question
How did the structure and practices of English Government both affect & influence early America?

2. The Rights of “Englishmen”
Chapter 5 Section 2 (Pt I)

3. Parliament & Colonial Govt.
Parliament, England’s lawmaking branch, served as the model for colonial legislatures
Parliament was bicameral, or had two houses:
House of Commons
Members were freely elected by eligible voters
House of Lords
Nonelected Lords, Nobles, & Clergy
English colonists valued representative govt. & it followed them to America
W/ the King 1000’s of miles away, self-govt became the norm in the colonies

4. Glorious Revolution & Bill of Rights
In 1687, King James dismissed British Parliament which enraged the English people
Secretly, Parliament offered the English throne to William & Mary of the Netherlands
King James fled the country in 1688
This transfer of power, via a bloodless revolution, became known as the Glorious Revolution
Part of the agreement btwn Parliament and William & Mary was the drafting & upholding of an English Bill of Rights
This was a specific list of rights that the English Monarchy could not override

5. Salutary Neglect & A New Right
After the Glorious Revolution, England very rarely interfered in colonial affairs
This hands-off policy, known as “salutary neglect” encouraged colonists to govern themselves
Colonists quickly got used to acting independently
They also began to see the British as disinterested “Landlords”

6. A New Right
In 1735, Colonists moved toward gaining the new, important right of freedom of the press
John Peter Zenger, publisher of the NY Weekly Journal, stood trial for printing criticism of NY’s Governor
His paper claimed that the governor accepted bribes, illegally removed judges, & tried to fix an election
At the time it was illegal to criticize public officials publicly
Zenger’s lawyer argued that his claims were based in truth & people had the right to speak truthfully
The jury agreed, Zenger was released, & freedom of the press was established

7. Quiz Question/Summary
What important right was upheld in the trial of John Peter Zenger?
Freedom of Assembly
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of the Press
The right to Bear Arms