U.S. Government -- Chapter 2, Section 1
- 1. U.S. Government Chapter 2 – Section 1
- 2. Limited government Representative government Magna Carta Petition of Right English Bill of Rights Charter Bicameral Proprietary Unicameral
- 3. Section Objectives: Identify three basic concepts of government in the English colonies Explain the significance of the following landmark English documents: The Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, the English Bill of Rights Describe three types of colonies that the English established in North America 5.2 Understand specific historical documents and institutions which shaped the U.S. Constitutuion.
- 4. The earliest English settlers brought a knowledge of a political system which they brought from England. The English had some influence on their political system from Africa and Asia. Ancient Romans left behind a legacy of law, religion, and custom to the people.
- 5. The first English colonists created local governments based on what they had known from England. The offices and units that are still with us today are: sheriff, coroner, assessor, justice of the peace, grand jury, counties, townships, etc.
- 6. They also brought with them the idea that government is limited in what it can do, and each person has rights. Limited Government This idea was practiced in England 400 years before Jamestown was settled in 1607.
- 7. Representative Government- government should serve the will of people. People should have a voice in deciding what government should and should not do.
- 8. The basic ideas of order, limited, and representative governments can be traced back to several English documents.
- 9. King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta (The Great Charter) by a group of barons. The barons were looking for protection against acts they did not approve of by the king. The Magna Carta included: trial by jury, due process of law, protection against taking of life, liberty, or property. Over time this became the rights of all English people.
- 10. The Magna Carta British Library
- 11. In 1628, Charles I asked Parliament for more money for taxes. They make him sign a Petition of Right first. Petition of Right challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and declared that even monarchs were subject to the laws of the land. It demanded the king no longer imprison or punish any person but by lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.
- 12. The Petition of Right Parliamentary Archives, London
- 13. The crown was offered to William and Mary of Orange. English Bill of Rights- A List drawn up by Parliament which had to be followed to prevent abuse of power for future monarchs It prohibited a standing army in peacetime, except with the consent of Parliament, and required that all parliamentary elections be free. It guaranteed right to a fair trial, freedom from excessive bail, and cruel and unusual punishment.
- 14. English Bill of Rights National Archives of the U.K.
- 15. What principles do the Magna Carta, the Petition of Right, and the English Bill of Rights have in common?
- 16. The 13 colonies were established separately over a span of 125 years. Each had its own character. Virginia was organized as a commercial venture, Mass. people were looking for religious freedom, GA was a place searching rescue from England’s harsh laws. Each colony was est. on basis of a charter, a written grant of authority from the king.
- 17. Royal Colonies were subject to direct control of king. The king named a governor to serve as the colony’s chief executive. Bicameral- two house A council helped the governor. The governors council became the upper house of the colonial legislature. The lower house was elected by property owners.
- 18. Proprietary Colonies- colonies organized by a proprietor. (a person the king made a grant of land) That land could be settled and governed much as the proprietor chose. The governor of these 3 colonies was appointed by the proprietor. Unicameral- one house. Pennsylvania had a unicameral legislature.
- 19. Connecticut and Rhode Island Based on charters granted to the land by the King. Governors were elected by white, male property owners. Judges in charter colonies were appointed by legislature.
- 21. The English Crown gave Connecticut and Rhode Island many freedoms not enjoyed by other colonies. Do you agree with historians who say that the Revolution may have never happened if all colonies enjoyed the same freedoms? Why or why not? (Write at lease two paragraphs)
- 22. Who had the most political influence on our form of government? A. Indians B. English Settlers C. Egyptians
- 23. The idea that government is limited in what it can do, and each person has rights. A. Representative Government B. Democracy C. Limited Government
- 24. A document signed by King John that involved trial by jury, due process of law, protection against taking of life, liberty, or property. A. Petition of Rights B. Magna Carta C. English Bill of Rights
- 25. Challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and declared that even monarchs were subject to the laws of the land. A. English Bill of Rights B. Magna Carta C. Petition of Right
- 26. This type of colony was subject to direct control of king. A. Proprietary B. Royal C. Charter