The Origins of Early Government in the Colonies

Transcription

1 The Origins of Early Government in the Colonies Magna Carta, 1215 The Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619 The Mayflower Compact, 1620 General Court, 1629 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639 English Bill of Rights, 1689

2 The Signing of the Magna Carta, 1215 Magna Carta = Great Charter

3 The Magna Carta, 1215 King John, an English King constantly demanded money and men for wars from his feudal barons. In 1215 barons forced King John to agree that he had no right to demand their property without their consent. Their consent was to be agreed upon in a grand council. King must now get consent of the people.

4 The Magna Carta Two important aspects of the Magna Carta: There must be a set of laws governing how the King and his subjects will deal with each other. The King is not the highest authority and that he is bound by a higher law that limits his authority. M = C Monarch = Citizens

5 The Importance of the Magna Carta First written Western document acknowledging the protection of individual rights. English tradition and structures served as an example for future English and colonial documents.

6 Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619

7 Virginia House of Burgesses It is modeled after the English Parliament. English Parliament was England s lawmaking elected government the first elected representative government appears in Virginia. Remember.. Jamestown, 1607! House of Burgesses imposed taxes and ran the colony Burgesses were the Elected Representatives!

8 Signing of the Mayflower Compact, 1620

9 Mayflower Compact 1620, Pilgrims arriving near the New England Coast agree to write a contract that allows for self-government. The Mayflower Compact promised that every adult male would vote for the Governor and his advisors on a yearly basis. It supports the idea of majority rule.

10 General Court, 1629 John Winthrop chosen governor of Massachusetts Bay Colony. Charter allowed only Stockholders ($$$$) to vote. Puritans wanted to keep Non- Puritans out of government, so only male Church Members could vote. Colony would run smoother if more people took part in decisions. The elected representative served in an assembly called the General Court! (Self-government, sound familiar?!)

11 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639 Where? Connecticut Who Established? Thomas Hooker What Religion? Puritans Why Start a new Colony? Thought government and others officials had too much power

12 Fundamental Orders of First written constitution in North America. It was the work of a Puritan clergyman, Thomas Hooker. It was a outline for selfgovernment of the colony. The well being of the community came before the individual. Adult males elected a governor, assistants, and a legislative assembly to make laws for the community. Connecticut, 1639

13 Colonial Government Colonial governments like the House of Burgesses elect their own representatives Representatives impose taxes, fines and managed colonial affairs Colonists believe they are Englishmen and should have a say in their government Colonists are used to running their governments on their own, the English have let the colonies get used to this Meanwhile, Back in England

14 James II Divine Rights belief that the king was God s choice to rule on earth A monarch has absolute power over his nation A monarch appoints government officials who answer to him not the people A monarch passed laws without the peoples consent or input

15 The Glorious Revolution, 1688 Glorious because no one died in battle and Revolution because the English overthrow the last Catholic monarch (James II) Parliament takes away many powers from the monarchy Monarchs William of Orange and Mary (Daughter of James II) agree to give Parliament more power

16 English Bill of Rights, 1689 William and Mary gain the throne and sign. The English Bill of Rights served as an example for colonial bills of rights, as well as the first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution, which became known as the Bill of Rights.

17 English Bill of Rights, 1689 Monarchs William of Orange and Mary agree to give Parliament and the people more power than the monarchs: Parliament agrees on laws not the king Raise taxes Parliament okays the raising of an army Parliament and public have free speech against the government Trial by jury Elections and debates

18 Colonial Government King appointed the governor in his place Governor appointed by King and had final say on laws Assemblies made laws, passed taxes, paid governor s salary which made the governor listen to the assemblies instead of the King