1. The Beginnings of American Government Chapter 2 Section 1 Origins of American Political Ideals

2. Objectives: * Explain how constitutional government in the United States has been influenced by centuries of political ideas and traditions from England and elsewhere. * Analyze the significance of three landmark historical documents to the American system of government. * Describe the three types of colonies that the English established in North America and explain why they are important to the study of American Government.

3. Origins of American Political Ideals Origins of American Constitutional Government The French, Dutch, Spanish, Swedes, and others came to explore and settle what would become this nation. In the process, they would dominate those Native Americans who were here for centuries before the arrival of the first Europeans. It was the English who came in the largest numbers. The earliest English settlers brought with them knowledge of a political system that had been developing in England for centuries.

4. Origins of American Political Ideals That system included customs, practices and government institutions. The origins of these many fundamental ideas stretch back into ancient times and across many lands. English rule of law has influenced the roots in the early civilizations of Africa and Asia. King Hammurabi’s code in 1750, Jewish legal concepts relating to individual worth, fair trial, and the rule of law were detailed in the Hebrew Bible. The Ancient Romans who occupied much of England from AD43 to 410 left behind a legacy of law, religion, and custom.

5. Origins of American Political Ideals The English colonists saw the need for an orderly regulation of their relationships with one Another – that is the need for government. This concept is called Limited Government and it is deeply rooted in English belief and practice by the time the first European ship set sail for America. Colonists believed firmly that every individual has certain rights – unalienable rights – rights that the government cannot take away.

6. Origins of American Political Ideals These beliefs went to Jamestown in 1607. The early English settlers carried another important concept across the Atlantic – representative government – the idea that the government should serve the will of the people had also been developing in England for several centuries.

7. Origins of American Political Ideals Influential Documents and Ideas These basic notions of ordered, limited, and representative government can be traced to ideas that began to emerge hundreds of years before the English reached North America. The Magna Carta – King John was forced to sign this document in 1215. – Also called the Great Charter. – Weary of King John’s military campaigns and heavy taxes, the barons who prompted the Magna Carta were seeking protection against heavy-handed and arbitrary (based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system) acts by the king.

8. Origins of American Political Ideals – The Magna Carta included guarantees of such fundamental rights as trial by jury and due process – protection against arbitrary taking of life, liberty, or property. – The Petition of Right – limited the king’s power in several ways Most importantly, it demanded that the king no longer imprison or punish any person but by lawful judgment of his peers. King may not impose martial law (military rule) in times of peace or require homeowners to shelter the king’s troops without consent.

9. Origins of American Political Ideals – The English Bill of Rights - 1689 – after years of revolt and turmoil, Parliament offered the crown to William of Orange and his wife Mary. The Glorious Revolution was what this became known as. This was to prevent abuse of power by monarchs. It prohibited a standing army in peacetime, except with consent of Parliament. Required that all Parliamentary elections be free. Gave the right of a fair trial Freedom from excessive bail and from cruel and unusual punishment.

10. Origins of American Political Ideals Three Types of Colonies English colonies in North America have been described as “schools of government”, because they were the settings in which Americans first began to learn the difficult art of government. Many Native American Tribes already had forms of government when the Europeans got here. Each colony that was born, from England, out of a particular set of circumstances. – Virginia was organized as a commercial venture – Massachusetts was organized for religious freedom and personal freedom. – All of the colonies were shaped by their English origins. – Each colony was established by a Charter – a written grant of authority from the king.

11. Origins of American Political Ideals Royal Colonies – These colonies were subject to the direct control of the Crown (King of England). – There were eight of these colonies… Massachusetts, New York, New Hampshire, Virginia, New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina. – The King named a Governor to run the colony for him. – The Governor’s Council was an advisory board to help run the colony. – It had a Bicameral Legislature (two house) that was elected by property owners. – Laws passed by the Legislature had to be approved by Parliament.

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13. The Proprietary Colonies – These colonies were Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. – They were organized by a proprietor (a person to whom the king had made a grant of land). The land could be settled and governed much as the proprietor chose. – Maryland was designed to be a haven for Catholics, Pennsylvania was to be a haven for Quakers. – Maryland and Delaware had a bicameral legislature and Pennsylvania had a Unicameral Legislature – One house legislature.

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15. The Charter Colonies – Massachusetts Bay Colony was set up this way in 1629. – It was revoked in 1691. – Connecticut and Rhode Island were the other two of this type. – These colonies were self-governing. – Governors were elected each year by white male property owners. – King had to give approval to the new governor. – Laws were made in a bicameral legislature and were not subject to the Governor’s veto. – The Crown had to approve all laws that were passed by the legislature. – Judges in these colonies were appointed by the legislature. Most historians say that if Britain would have allowed the other colonies the same freedom as the Charter Colonies had, there may not been a Revolution.

16. Origins of American Political Ideals