1. Ideas on Government

2. Background What Is Government?  Institutions and processes through which public policies are made  What is the PURPOSE of government?  To keep order  Defense and Security  Public Service  Make decisions  Promote standards Laws, rules Military/national guard Groups of people Education, postal, garbage About the country- domestic/international Reflected in our laws, policies, expectations police

3. Origins of 18 th Century Government Thought  1215 – Magna Carta What did it do?? Limits the power of King of England for first time King needs to be advised regarding taxes Trial by Jury Due Process Under the Law  1620 – Mayflower Compact First government established in New World A tradition of Self-government Evil King John who the nobles forced to sign Now the king must get permission to raise taxes Peers decide, Rome had this Gov. can’t take your possessions or arrest w/out a reason 400 years later! Made their own rules, not England, not the KING ship to the New World

4. Origins of 18 th Century Government Thought continued  1628 – Petition of Right Divine Right – Kings were chosen by God Forbade King from making people house soldiers No martial law allowed  1689 – English Bill of Rights ELECTEDBALANCE Restrictions on King’s power. Parliament ELECTED to BALANCE King’s power Bicameral- House of Lords and House of Commons  1730-1750 – Great Awakening  Religious revival that challenged Church of England. People renewed their faith, developing a sense of independence and religious freedom Kings are NOT GODS! Quartering 1 st things the king breaks! Soldiers run the streets- military control 2 houses – “Lords” title from feudalism Questioned???? Self/personal beliefs tradition

5. Colonial Ideas on Freedom, Government, and Revolution  Freedom: All men have certain natural rights: life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. These rights are God-given and cannot be taken away. Freedom is having these rights and recognizing that government must respect them.  Government: Men form governments to protect these natural, unalienable rights (freedom)  Ideal society is one where the power of government and the amount of freedom people have is balanced! Feudalism Age of Enlightenment Gov’t Power Freedom BALANCED IDEAL

6. IDEAL GOVERNMENT? OR IS IT… ANARCHY OR TYRANNY? Gov’t Power (what is light is up high) Freedom- (what is heavy is low) TOO MUCH FREEDOM AND TOO LITTLE GOVERNMENT CONTROL IS… ANARCHY

7. IDEAL GOVERNMENT? OR IS IT… ANARCHY OR TYRANNY? Gov’t Power (what is heavy is low) Freedom- (what is light is up high) TOO MUCH GOVERNMENT CONTROL AND TOO LITTLE FREEDOM IS… TYRANNY

8. Colonial Governments  Motives: Each colony was founded for different reasons (wealth, religion, political freedom, etc.) At first, England ignored the colonies but then the motives changed to making money through… Mercantilism: Colonies ship raw materials/natural resources to England and buy finished products and manufactured goods from England Salutary Neglect FROM ENGLAND: Finished Products, Manufactured Goods FROM COLONIES: Raw materials, Natural Resources

9. Colonial Governments  Only white male property owners over 21 could vote  Governors were unpopular  Governors/Assembly often had public disputes Governor: Chosen by King Assembly: Elected by Voters Council: Chosen by Governor We are both appointed by our friend, the king, and we agree with each other! We can outvote the colonists EVERY time! We don’t agree. The King ALWAYS wins. This leaves out the majority of people, only the elite rule $$$ = Fights Fighting w/in government = BAD news Illusion of balance

10. Revolution  Governments can go bad. Colonists believed England did.  When governments infringe on freedom, it is time for a new revolution to begin – a balance of power between governments and the people.  To Colonists, the British Acts were a sign of growing government power, and a loss of freedom for the people. Eventually, they would lose all freedom. Follow the King’s road to taxes, limitations on freedoms, corruption… Take a new road to a new government… Take away enough– feel/think Natural Rights are violated= willing to rebel!