Government Influences Influences on American Colonial Governments

Role Play Assume the role of a king or queen. It's the thirteenth century and you’re a king/queen. What power do you have? Can you do whatever you want? What might happen if you abused your power? Does it matter how serious the abuses are? What might happen if your subjects tried to limit your power? Does it matter how many people rebel? Does it matter which people do or do not rebel?

It Matters Because… Ancient peoples and the great thinkers of the Enlightenment influenced how the Founders shaped our government in ways that still affect us today. Students: READ THIS! The rights, freedoms, and form of government that we enjoy as Americans did not begin with the adoption of the United States Constitution in 1788. Nor did they begin with our Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. In fact, the origins of the American political system can be traced to ancient times. The growth of democracy, or rule by the people, has not occurred at a steady pace over those thousands of years. There have been long periods of time when little democracy existed. During some of these periods, people were governed by monarchs, or single rulers who held great power. At other times, however, the ideas and practices of democracy have developed, spread, and grown strong. Roman Influence

Questions What ancient principles, traditions, and events have shaped the system of government we have today? Why do people create, structure, and change governments?

Early English Influences Around a.d. 476., kings and lords ruled most of Europe. Lords were noblemen who inherited land, wealth, and power. Over time the growth of towns as business and trade centers weakened the power of the lords. The kings gained greater control of their kingdoms. Many nobles resisted this change. In England they rose up against King John in 1215. They forced him to sign a document called the Magna Carta. Magna Carta- Limited King’s power. Could not place certain taxes on the nobles without their agreement. It gave rights to free men, equal treatment and a right to the courts, and the right to rebel if the king did not follow this document. Magna Carta

Why is it important? The Magna Carta established the principle of limited government. The idea that a ruler or a government is not all- powerful.  The future kings of England were advised by nobles and church officials. Gradually this group grew to include representatives of the common people, as well. By the late 1300s the advisers had become a legislature, or lawmaking body. It was called Parliament. Legislature: the legislative body of a country or state.

Questions What principle did the Magna Carta establish? What did the group of advisers to the English king become over time? What is the role of Parliament in the English system of government?  What government body in the United States is similar to Parliament?

The English Bill of Rights In 1688, the Parliament forced their King, James II out of power and put in place his daughter, Mary. Mary had to accept rules Parliament made. Parliaments Rules: Citizens have rights that cannot be violated. Citizens have a right to trial. Cannot be taxed unless Parliament agrees. English Bill of Rights

Influence of the Enlightenment Students: READ THIS! The end of the conflict between the monarchy and parliament allowed the ideas of a large cultural movement called the Enlightenment to occur. Ideas such as scientific discoveries, or laws and rule of nature to dictate society. These ideas had great influence on American and European society. Colonists’ views about government were shaped by the Enlightenment thinkers. Ideas about a social contract, natural rights, and separation of powers influenced the writers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. History Channel Influences on Enlightenment

Different Enlightenment Thinkers Niccolò Machiavelli (1469–1527)- Italian Renaissance writer known for the book, The Prince, arguing it is safer to be feared than loved as a ruler. Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679)- Believed in an agreement called Social Contract that exists between people and government. People agree to give up some freedoms to be ruled by government. The government has to protect the people’s rights. John Locke (1632–1704)- Believed in natural rights, that people were born equal with certain God-given rights such as right to life, freedom, and to own property.

Different Enlightenment Thinkers Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778)- Wrote another social contract stating, man is born free, yet everywhere he is found in chains. Believed people had the right to decide how they should be governed.  Baron de Montesquieu (1689–1755)- Developed the idea that power of government should be divided into branches. No one branch should become to strong to challenge the people. He called this the separation of powers. Francois-Marie Arouet AKA Voltaire (1694–1778)- Believed people should have liberty, freedom of religion and freedom of trade.

Enlightenment Thinkers

Questions What was the Enlightenment? What rights did Parliament demand as a condition of granting power to William and Mary? What did Locke mean by natural rights?  How does the idea of natural rights give rise to the social contract? 

First Colonial Governments England founded colonies in America throughout the 1600s. A colony is an area of settlement in one place that is controlled by a country in another place. Who controlled the colonies coming to North America? Jamestown- First permanent English settlement in North America. Founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company. A business owned by London merchants. At first, Jamestown was ruled by a governor and a council. The company appointed these officials. To attract more settlers, in 1619 the company allowed the colony to make its own laws. The colonists elected leaders to represent them in an assembly. These leaders were called burgesses. The assembly was named the House of Burgesses.  Jamestown

The First Colonial Governments The Mayflower Compact- In 1620 these Pilgrims set sail for Virginia, seeking religious freedom. They drew up a compact, or a written agreement. All the Pilgrim men aboard the ship signed. They agreed to choose leaders and work together to make their own laws for the colony. They also agreed to obey the laws that were made. Then the colonists went ashore and founded the town of Plymouth. The signers of the Mayflower Compact established a direct democracy in colonial America. The people of Plymouth held town meetings to discuss problems and make decisions. Anyone in the town could attend and express his or her views. However, only some male members of the colony could vote. The tradition of the town meeting continues in much of New England today. Mayflower Compact

Questions  What were two fundamental ideas the English colonists brought with them to the Americas? Why is the House of Burgesses important? What did the Mayflower Compact share with Enlightenment thought?   In what ways were the governments of Jamestown and Massachusetts different?