Foundations of Representative Government

Define English Bill Of Rights King John Magna Carta Parliament Rule Of Law Rule Of Man Salutary Neglect Taxation Without Representation

The Magna Carta & Parliament Colonial gov’t was based on principles established in England. rule of law limited gov’t no one is above gov’t can’t do the law whatever it wants

In 1215 King John I was forced to sign a document…the Magna Carta (Great Charter). Gave nobles various rights and prevented the king from imposing taxes w/o the consent of Parliament a council. Beginnings of lawmaking body of England

Parliament gained additional Power in 1689 with the English Bill of Rights No interference in parliamentary elections Speedy trial No cruel & unusual punishment Right to petition the gov’t

English gov’t also practiced common law Based on tradition or past court decisions rather than on written law

Memory Jogger Name two documents the colonists were familiar with and used to set up their own colonial governments. Magna Carta & English Bill of Rights

Enlightenment 1600s England revolutionary ideas in philosophy and political thought John Locke

People are born with certain natural rights that no one can take away…life, liberty & property Social contract theory…there is an implied contract between gov’t & citizens for the good of Citizens are born society, people with freedom & agree to give up rights certain freedoms so the gov’t can maintain order

If a gov’t fails to fulfill its role to serve citizens, the gov’t should be replaced Due to England’s policy of salutary neglect, settlers in America became accustomed to sovereignty (power over themselves)

The colonies made their own decisions and established their own policies w/o England imposing too many restrictions England allowed this freedom for 3 reasons…

The great distance between Europe & America The strong tradition of local gov’t that existed in England Most colonists were proud to be British citizens & didn’t need to be forced to follow British law

First example of limited gov’t in the colonies House of Burgesses (Virginia) 2 houses elected by appointed by the royal the people governor TENSION

Memory Jogger What term describes the idea that a gov’t can’t do whatever it wants? Limited government

Check your Terms! English Bill Of Rights Passed by English Parliament in 1689 to limit the power of the monarch. It established rights that citizens should have under a constitutional monarchy. It was very influential in the formation of the American Bill of Rights. King John This English monarch is alleged to be the enemy of Robin Hood, but he is best remembered as the king who was forced to sign the Magna Carta which placed limits on absolute rule in Britain. Magna Carta This was the Great Charter of English liberty granted (under considerable duress) by King John at Runnymede on June 15, 1215. Parliament This is the name given to a legislative body- such as that in Great Britain- that is usually led by a Prime Minister. Rule Of Law This is the legal notion that the power of government is limited and restrained by legal means and is not at the mercy and whims of individuals. Rule Of Man This political concept describes the political condition in which a single ruler or party exercises absolute authority and is not bound by any law. Salutary Neglect This refers to the unofficial British policy of enforcing few of the restrictions legally placed on their North American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries. Taxation Without Representation A common complaint of American Colonists, they felt they were taxed from England without having any vote in Parliament.