Essential Question How did our system of government develop?
English Political Heritage
Principles of English Government 1.Limited Government 2.Representative Government
Magna Carta “Know that we, at the prompting of God and for the health of our soul and the souls of our ancestors and successors, for the glory of holy Church and the improvement of our realm, freely and out of our good will have given and granted to … all of our realm these liberties written below to hold in our realm of England in perpetuity.”
Magna Carta Signed by King John in England in 1215 Forced by his nobles to limit the power of the king Why?
Limited Government The power of a monarch or government is not absolute Protect citizens against unjust actions
Parliament English representative government
Glorious Revolution 1688 Parliament removed King James and crowned William and Mary
English Bill of Rights Signed by William and Mary who swore to govern England according to the laws of Parliament
English Bill of Rights 1.Monarchs do not have absolute authority but rule with the consent of the people. 2.The monarch must have Parliament’s consent to levy taxes or maintain an army 3.People have the right to petition the government, speedy trial with a jury. 4.No cruel and unusual punishment.
The 13 Colonies Founded by England from 1607 to 1733 Along the eastern coast of North America
Mayflower Compact First example of colonial plans for self- government Signed by 41 pilgrims on the Mayflower Agreed to make own laws, choose own leaders
Mayflower Compact (1620) We agree to “Solemnly and mutually in the Presence of God and one another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a Body Politik, for our better Ordering and Preservation and Furtherance of the Ends aforesaid.”
Colonial Similarities Limited power for colonial governments Rule of law for all people and leaders Representative legislatures
Declaration of Independence Signed on July 4, 1776 Written by Thomas Jefferson
Articles of Confederation Need for a central government Adopted in November 1777 Ratified in 1781
Articles of Confederation Weak unicameral government States did not want to give up the independence they had gained from fighting the British
A New Constitution
Constitutional Convention 55 Delegates George Washington = presiding officer
James Madison Researched government ideas Father of the Constitution
Great Debate Each state elected a convention to vote on the Constitution Two groups formed – those who supported it and those who rejected it
The Federalist Main document supporting the Constitution 85 essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay
Ratification With the nine out of thirteen needed votes, the new government began on March 4, 1789