The beginning of The United States of America’s government

Imagine… All of MSD’s students move to an island. There are no adults. There are little kids, 3 years old, and older kids 19 years old, and everyone in between. How would you make sure everyone was taken care of? How would you make sure no one hurt each other?

First to America… Arrived in Jamestown, Virginia 1607 Were workers for the London Company The workers became unhappy, they were being bossed around The owner of the company picked a governor for the workers The governor had complete power

Virginia cont.… Later, the London Company let the workers elect men from each district (area) to be in a governing body (government group) House of Burgesses – the governing body in Virginia First meeting – July 1619

The Pilgrims Government Arrived in Massachusetts Were not under the London Company Were under England’s king Before they went on land, they wrote a contract that was their plan for their own government The pilgrims promised to join together to make their government good and help people

The Pilgrims Compact Called “The Mayflower Compact”

The Mayflower Compact The pilgrims promised to join together to make their government good and help people They promised to make laws They promised to pick leaders They promised to obey (follow) the laws and the leaders

Massachusetts More towns in Massachusetts Each man voted on everything Direct Democracy

Religious Freedom Pilgrims came to North America to make their own church

More Religious Rules Rules in Massachusetts said that there could be only one kind of church

Real Religious Freedom Not everyone liked this rule and left Massachusetts and set up two new colonies: Rhode Island Connecticut

Starting a Colony – Starting a Government Charters started each colony – the charter was signed by England’s king Charters let the people have freedom to govern (control) themselves Charters let the people make their own laws

Starting a Colony – Starting a Government Each town elected leaders and representatives People elected governors and judges

The First Constitutions Rhode Island and Connecticut wrote their own constitutions

The First Constitutions The constitutions listed the powers the government could have The constitutions listed the political rights of people