Ch.6 Sect.4 I Can… analyze principles of self-government and natural rights based on Enlightenment ideas (Magna Carta/Petition of Rights) I Can… explain early hints at representative governments using the Petition of Rights and English Bill of Rights.
Define them Why did they exist ? How did they effect the colonies’ economies? How did they lead to global trade and interdependence?
1700’s – Colonists worked from England’s ideas of government but began achieving hints at self- government… o Magna Carta, 1215 o Mayflower Compact, 1620 o Petition of Right, 1628 o English Bill or Rights, 1688 These will all play a big role in state constitutions and our nation’s constitution! o US Constitution, 1788 o US Bill of Rights, 1791
Rights and English Law 1761 – Boston Courts supported a government plan to use blank search warrants to control colonial smuggling. signed by a judge, a search warrant gives officials the right to search a person’s property for a specific item. English colonists began relying on English law to protect them in the colonies since they were still English citizens… 3 major documents applied…
MAGNA CARTA English nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta which limited the king’s power. o Stated that nobles and free men should be heard/punished by their equals (trial by jury). o Stated the king would consult the Council about taxes and other important matters (check and balances).
PETITION OF RIGHT In reaction to King Charles taxing the people without the consent of Parliament the people protested and forced Charles to sign the Petition of Right: o Stated that the people could not be taxed without the consent of Parliament o Martial Law: temporary military power in time of war, not peace. o Habeas Corpus: protects against illegal imprisonment; people have to be told what they are being thrown in jail for and be given a court appearance.
“To the Kings most Excellent Majesty,” Habeas CorpusMartial LawNo Taxation without Parliament consent
ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS In response to King James II using absolute control, King William and Queen Mary accepted the English Bill of Rights: o Elections for Parliament were to be held often. o Allowed citizens to bear arms for defense. o Forbid cruel and unusual punishment. o Guaranteed right to trial by jury.
Right to petition Right to bear arms US Constitution’s Bill of Rights
Colonial Rights Limited Monarchy: the ruler does not have complete power… it is limited. o By 1600’s England was, and still is, a limited monarchy. English colonists claimed the same rights as people living in England. By 1750 English colonists had more freedom and rights than people elsewhere in the Americas or in Europe.
Colonial Government: was modeled after English government. Charters promised colonists trial by jury and petition to the Crown. Rights of Indians go unprotected. Colonies were governed in 1 of 3 ways: o Royal colony 8 – governed by an official picked by the king. o Proprietary colony 3 – government by the person that funded the colony. o Self-governed/charter colony 2 – governed by a representative legislature voted by the colonists. Land-owning men were the voters & representatives.
Colonial Government cont. Each colony had courts. Laws passed by England’s Parliament had to be obeyed by colonists (including taxes! And the Navigation Act!) Local affairs, colonial control o Colonial legislatures were bicameral: 2 houses; upper & lower o NE: town meetings, public voting o S: county authorities made decisions o M: mixture of town mtgs. and county govt.
P.Zenger’s, a German immigrant printer. His trial led to a court ruling for a free, but responsible press/media. Political Power -Freedom of the press -Libel -Trial by jury Bacon’s Rebellion -N.Bacon, a wealthy VA landowner led a group against the Indians after being raided. -Led to elections! -Led a group to Jamestown after the governor. -Led to English soldiers entering VA and rebellion hangings.