Foundations of the US Government

Ancient Roots Athens (Greece) – direct democracy – all citizens participate in the government Rome – indirect democracy (republic) – citizens vote for representatives

European Roots England- The Magna Carta (1215) and the English Bill of Rights (1689) were documents that limited the power of the king. The English Bill of Rights also granted basic human rights to citizens. (right to petition the king, speech, cruel and unusual punishment) Enlightenment Thinkers John Locke – natural rights – life, liberty, and property Jean Jacques Rosseau – social contract – ruler has the consent of the governed Baron de Montesquieu – separation of powers – three braches of government

Colonial Roots Jamestown 1st English colony in North America (1607) founded by a joint stock company (Virginia Company) for the benefit of investors After early struggles, Jamestown thrived due to the success of tobacco (brown gold) When Jamestown required extra troops to defend itself from Native Americans the English king revoked their charter and made Jamestown a royal colony House of Burgess – first representative body in colonial America – white, male property owners could vote for reps.

Colonial Roots (cont.) Puritan New England Plymouth Colony (1620) – Mayflower Compact – As the puritans arrived on Cape Cod they realized they were north of the boundary of their charter, so they agreed on a plan of government. -loyalty to the king -majority rule -laws apply to all Massachusetts Bay Colony (1630) – all men who belonged to the Puritan Church (freemen) could vote in town meetings (direct democracy) Roger Williams criticized the relationship between church and state (lack of religious toleration), as well as the claiming of Native American land. He eventually established fled and established Providence

17th and 18th Century Colonial America – mercantilism – the colonies existed for the benefit of Britain Navigation Acts – limited who could trade with the colonies – led to smuggling Salutary Neglect – At the start of the 1700’s England began to loosen its control of the colonies. Colonial Assemblies had significant power (power of the purse) giving colonists a “taste” of self government French and Indian War – strengthened British control of North America – resulted in an increased presence of British troops in the colonies