1. Roots of American Democracy
Chapter 2 Section 1
Our English Heritage

2. Influences from England’s early government
Many of the rights that American citizens enjoy today can be traced back to the political and legal traditions of England.
When English people began settling here in the 1600’s they brought with them a history of limited and representative government

3. Influences from England’s early government
England was ruled by a Monarch (a king or queen), however the noble families had considerable power.
The monarch gave them ownership of vast lands in exchange for their loyalty, tax payments, and promises of military support

4. King John Inherited the throne in 1199 Treated the nobles harshly
He was jealous of their wealth and influence
The nobles rebelled in 1215 and forced the king to sign the Magna Carta

5. Magna Carta Magna Carta is Latin for great charter
This document protected the nobles privileges and upheld their authority
It also granted rights to all land holders
Rights that eventually came to apply to all English People

6. Magna Carta Lead to equal treatment under the law Trial by one’s peers
The magna carta was a contract that limited the power of the monarch by guaranteeing that no one would be above the law, not even the king or queen

7. Parliament
The parliament grew in power and size until eventually it split.
Into the house of lords (nobles)
And the house of Commons (citizens)
Over time the parliament became more powerful than the monarchy
This lead to the Glorious Revolution

8. The Glorious Revolution
Parliament removed King James II from the throne and invited his daughter Mary and her husband William to rule instead
No violence
From this time on no ruler would have more power than the legislature

9. The English Bill of rights
A document that stated that the monarch could not suspend parliaments laws
Could not create special courts
Impose taxes or raise an army with out parliaments consent
The bill of rights also guaranteed
Free speech
Free election
And right to a fair trial

10. Common Law A system of laws based on precedent and customs
Precedent – a ruling in an earlier case that was similar

11. Bringing the English Heritage to America
Even though the colonist were far from home they remained loyal subjects of England
The keep a strong sense of the English political system
They accepted common law and believed that the ruler was not above the law

12. Jamestown
The first permanent English settlement in North America was Jamestown 1607
Was created by a charter from King James
A charter is a written document granting land and the authority to set up colonial governments.

13. The Virginia House of Burgesses
In 1619 the colonist chose two representative from each county to meet with the governor and his council.
These 22 men were called burgesses and they formed the House of Burgesses
The first representative legislature in English colonies
This marked the beginning of self government in colonial America.

14. Plymouth
In 1620 a new group of colonist known as Pilgrims arrived in America
They build a settlement called Plymouth in Massachusetts
They drew up a written plan for government called the Mayflower Compact
A compact is an agreement among a group of people.

15. The Mayflower Compact
The compact stated that the government would make Just and equal laws for the general good of the colony.
The signers pledged to obey those law
This set up a Direct democracy in which all men would vote and the majority would rule

16. Early Colonial Governments
By English colonies stretched from Massachusetts in the north to Georgia in the south
Each colony set up its own government
Each had a governor and a legislature with elected representatives

17. England takes a Hands off Approach
As time passed the governments took on more and more power and responsibility
While the king and parliament were preoccupied with matter in England
America soon grew used to making their own decisions.
They built towns roads, and organized their own churches, schools, and hospitals.
All with out the help of Great Britain.