1. Governing the Colonies 4.1

2. The English Parliamentary Tradition Magna Carta – Signed by King John in 1215 Means “Great Charter” in Latin First document that placed a restriction on an English ruler’s power

3. Magna Carta The King could not levy (create/raise) taxes without consulting the nobles The King could not take one’s private property away Guaranteed the right to trial by jury

4. Magna Carta (cont.) Parliament was created (similar to our Congress) – Created to advise the king Created to have a two-house legislature – A group of people who have the power to make laws House of Lords – inherited House of Commons - elected

5. Parliament’s Power Could approve/deny new taxes

6. English Bill of Rights Parliament removed King John and placed his daughter, Mary, and her husband, John, to the throne They signed the English Bill of Rights –A bill of rights is a written list of freedoms that a Government promises to protect

7. English Bill of Rights Restated many rights that were granted in the Magna Carta –Trial by jury –Habeas Corpus – person can not be held in prison without being charged with a specific crime No monarch (King/Queen) could levy new taxes or raise an army without Parliament’s approval

8. Colonial Self-Government Colonists believed that the King had limited power and representative government existed. House of Burgesses was the first form of representative government By 1760, all 13 colonies had a legislature of some kind.

9. The Right to Vote Colonists had more political rights than their peers in England 50-75% of white adult males (21 and over) could vote in the colonies. – Had to own property Who could NOT vote? –English women –Native Americans –Africans –Hispanics

10. Freedom of the Press The right of journalists to publish the truth without restriction or penalty John Peter Zenger, publisher of the New York Weekly Journal, was arrested for printing a series of articles that criticized the governor Charged with libel, publishing of statements that damage a person’s reputation

11. Freedom of the Press (cont.) Under American Law, statements must be untrue in order for it to be libel In England, published statements that criticized the government were punished by law (even if the statements were true) Zenger was found innocent – The press has a right and responsibility to keep the public informed of the truth

12. Regulating Trade Mercantilism – colonies existed in order to serve the economic needs of their parent country. Colonies were a source of raw materials and a place to sell the home country’s goods.

13. Navigation Acts 1651 – Parliament passed the first of many Navigation Acts. 1.Shipments from Europe to English Colonies had to go through England first. 2.Any imports to England from the colonies had to come in ships built and owned by British subjects 3.The colonies could sell key products, such as tobacco and sugar, only to England. This helped create jobs for English workers

14. Navigation Acts (cont.) Colonists began to dislike the Navigation Acts The Navigation Acts favored English merchants Colonists could make more money if they sold to foreign markets (Spain, Portugal, Italy, etc.) Colonists began to smuggle – began to import and export goods illegally