Warm - Up Explain the difference between a presidential system and parliamentary system.
Origins of American Government
Basic Concepts of a New Government English colonies in America Settlers influenced by English political ideas, early civilizations like Egyptians, Romans, and Fertile crescent. 3 Basic Concepts of the New Government Ordered Government Limited Government Representative Government
Basic Concepts Ordered Government - orderly regulation of society. Need for Government moved them to establish early governments in their colonies and settlements. Offices like sheriff, coroner, assessor, justice of the peace, grand jury, counties, townships were established and still exist today.
Basic Concepts 2. Limited Government - Government is not all powerful. Restriction of government powers and certain rights that citizens have. Major belief that English settlers brought from England.
Basic Concepts 3. Representative Government - Government should reflect the will of the people. People should have a voice in what governments do and dont do. “Government of, by, and for the people”
Landmark English Documents These heavily influenced American Government Magna Carta Written in 1215 basically a peace agreement between King John of England and rebel barons (nobles) The Magna Carta included fundamental rights such as: trial by jury, due process, protection against arbitrary taking of life, liberty, and property. **Main impact: The power of the Monarchy is not absolute
Landmark English Documents The Petition of Right Written in 1628 King Charles I was forced to sign in order to get parliament to raise taxes The Petition of Right further limited the Kings power by: King no longer could punish or imprison someone but by lawful judgement of peers. King could no longer impose martial law in times of peace Homeowners were no longer required to shelter the King’s troops without consent No increase in taxes without consent from parliament Challenged “divine right” of Kings and put them under the law as well.
Landmark English Documents The English Bill of Rights Written in 1689 as a way to prevent abuse of power by new monarchs William and Mary. List of provisions: prohibited standing army during time of peace unless with consent of parliament parliamentary elections will be free Monarchy could not make laws or interpret them No royal influence of peoples ability to have arms (weapons) Right to fair trial and freedom from excessive bail No cruel and unusual punishment
The “13 Schools of Government” aka - The 13 Colonies of 1775 Ideas of government tested Each colony was established by the English over 125 year period. Virginia (Jamestown) was 1st in 1607 and Georgia (Savannah) in 1733 Each colony established by King via a Charter or written grant of authority 3 types of colonies: Royal, proprietary, and charter.
Royal Colonies Subject to direct control of King of England New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia The King appointed a royal Governor to each colony The King would also appoint an advisory council to the royal Governor The council would eventually become a bicameral colonial legislature with a lower house voted on by property owners. This Legislature would make laws and appoint Judges for colonial courts. All laws and appointments had to approved by the royal governor and the king
Proprietary Colonies Organized by a proprietor (a person the King had granted land to) Maryland (Lord Baltimore), Pennsylvania, and Delaware (William Penn) The proprietor could govern as they chose. The Proprietor would appoint a governor. Bicameral Legislatures were established in Maryland and Delaware and Unicameral in Pennsylvania.
Charter Colonies Established by charters given to colonists Connecticut and Rhode Island Self Governing Governors were elected each year Bicameral Legislature - elected Judges