1. Our Political Beginnings

2. English Documents
English beliefs in limited government came over with settlers, explorers, and traders.
Important concepts: ordered government, limited government, and representative government.

3. Magna Carta
This limited the power of government especially when taxing people
And, also, provided citizens with fundamental rights such as trial by jury and due process of law. (No longer could the king throw someone in jail just because he felt like it.)

4. English Petition of Rights
This document established that men have rights and established the concept of rule of law.
Basic rights included:
Guarantee of trial by jury
Protection against marshal law
Protection against quartering of troops
Protection of private property

5. English Bill of Rights Signed by William and Mary of Orange in 1688.
Once again, limited the power of the monarch:
No standing army in peacetime
Free elections
Right of petition
Parliamentary checks on power

6. English Colonies
The basic rights of Englishmen were guaranteed to the colonists by the charters of the Virginia Company of London. (idea of limited government)

7. Coming of Independence
The colonies began to rebel against the British government through several acts:
The Stamp Act
The Boston Tea Party
The First and Second Continental Congresses

8. The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson.
It stated the complaints that the colonist had against King George in England
It was adopted on July 4th, 1776