1. Chapter 2, Section 1 Our English Heritage

2. Influence from England English people brought with them a history of limited and representative gov’t England has been ruled by a monarch for centuries

3. Influence from England Noble families had much power Monarch gave them ownership and control of vast land in exchange for their loyalty, tax payments and promises of military support

4. The Magna Carta 1199 – King John inherited the throne and treated the nobles harshly 1215 – nobles forced the king to sign the Magna Carta (means Great Charter)

5. The Magna Carta This document protected the nobles’ privileges and upheld their authority Granted certain rights to all land owners These rights eventually came to apply to all English people

6. The Magna Carta The rights of the Magna Carta include: Equal treatment under the law Trial by one’s peers The Magna Carta also limited the power of the monarch by guaranteeing that no one is above the law.

7. Parliament Henry III, followed John and met regularly with nobles and church officials This group grew and began to include representatives of the common people

8. Parliament This group of people developed into a legislature – a lawmaking body This body of gov’t was known as Parliament

9. Parliament For a long time, the monarch cooperated with Parliament Mid 1600’s power struggles began

10. Parliament Parliament removed King James II from the throne

11. Parliament Parliament invited James II’s daughter and husband, William and Mary, to the throne

12. Parliament When this happened Parliament demonstrated that they were now stronger than the monarch

13. Parliament This transfer of power is known as the Glorious Revolution From this point on, no ruler would have more power than the legislature

14. Parliament To clarify this, Parliament drew up the English Bill of Rights: 1.Monarch could not suspend Parliament’s laws 2.The monarch could not create special courts, impose taxes, raise an army 3.Members of Parliament would be freely elected and be guaranteed free speech during meetings

15. Parliament 4. every citizen would have a fair trial by jury in court cases 5. cruel and unusual punishment would be banned – no use of torture

16. Common Law A long time ago, England had no laws People developed rules to live by These rules came to be laws Courts came to be The judges would look at rulings in earlier cases to help them decide the punishment This is known as precedent

17. Common Law Example: –If Bobby Joe comes to RMS wearing basketball shorts and they may be his favorite, but he will still have to call someone to bring him something else to wear. –If Sue Ellen comes to RMS wearing a mini skirt then she too will have to call home for a change of clothes!!

18. Common Law The same thing happened to Sue Ellen that happened to Bobby Joe. This is precedent – Mrs. Lewis gives everyone who is out of dress code the same punishment This system of law, based on precedent, is known as common law