The Origins of Early Government in the Colonies Magna Carta The Mayflower Compact The Virginia House of Burgesses Fundamental Orders of Connecticut Declaration of Rights, 1689

The Signing of the Magna Carta, 1215

The Magna Carta, 1215 Two important aspects of the Magna Carta: there must be a set of laws governing (precedents) how the King and his subjects will deal with each other. King is not highest authority & must now get consent of the people.

Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619

Virginia House of Burgesses 1619 the first elected representative government appears in Virginia. House of Burgesses imposed taxes and ran the colony Modeled after England’s Parliament – lawmaking, elected government.

Signing of the Mayflower Compact

Mayflower Compact, , Pilgrims arriving near the New England Coast agree to write a contract that allows for self- government. The Mayflower Compact promised that every adult male would vote for the Governor and his advisors on a yearly basis. It supports the idea of majority rule.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639

First written constitution in North America. It was the work of a Puritan clergyman, Thomas Hooker. It was a outline for self-government of the colony. The well being of the community came before the individual. Adult males elected a governor, assistants, and a legislative assembly to make laws for the community.

Colonial Government Colonial governments like the House of Burgesses elect their own representatives Representatives impose taxes, fines and managed colonial affairs Colonists believe they are Englishmen and should have a say in their government Colonists are used to running their governments on their own, the English have let the colonies get used to this

James II “Divine Rights” belief that the king was God’s choice to rule on earth A monarch has absolute power over his nation A monarch appoints government officials who answer to him not the people A monarch passed laws without the peoples consent or input

The Glorious Revolution Glorious because no one died in battle Monarchs William of Orange and Mary agree to give Parliament more power Agree to English Bill of Rights guaranteeing certain basic civil rights Influences American colonies

English Bill of Rights, 1689 Monarchs William of Orange and Mary agree to give Parliament (the people) more power under Bills of Rights than the monarchs: Parliament agrees on laws not the king Raise taxes Parliament okays the raising of an army Parliament and public have free speech against the government Trial by jury Elections and debates

Colonial Government Two Types of Colonies: Royal Colony Proprietary Colony King appoints governor or gives rights to Proprietors Governor appointed by King or Proprietors Assemblies made laws, passed taxes, paid governor’s salary Assemblies give colonists practice at self government

The Great Wagon Road An actual road stretching from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania into Georgia Traveled mainly by Germans, Irish, Scots-Irish, Moravians Way stations (stops along the road for resting) become trading centers and eventually cities like Lancaster, Winchester, Salisbury

The Great Wagon Road Opens up the “Back Country” - Frontier Creates this divide Coast = English & Dutch, think cities, Plantations Interior or Back Country everyone else Difference = City vs. Country Creates greater sense of independence in Frontier