We the People Lesson 6 How did constitutional government develop in Great Britain?

An English Political Heritage English colonists brought with them a heritage of freedom and principles of government that helped shape the development of the United States. Most important to the colonists was to have a government which limited the monarch’s power and represented the will of the people.

Key Events/Documents 1066-Feudalism introduced to England 1215-Magna Carta 1258-Parliament 1628-Petition of Right 1689-English Bill of Rights

Constitutional Government Citizens have rights-life, liberty, property Gov’t responsibility to protect rights Limits on the power of gov’t Principle of private domain Changed with consent and according to set procedures (contract)

1066-Feudalism Details Intro by King William A governing system of Pol, Econ, Soc organization Three classes of people Royalty Nobility Common People

1066-Feudalism Details King owned all land System of contracts b/w king-nobles-vassals Royalty Nobility Common People

1066-Feudalism Why imp. to dev. of Const. gov’t? Introduces the idea of a contract-both sides have responsibilities Monarch starts to share power

Constitutional Government Citizens have rights Gov’t responsibility to protect rights Limits on the power of gov’t (slightly) Private domain Changed with consent (contract)

1215-Magna Carta Details Nobles accustomed to having rights & powers Nobles force King John to sign “Great Charter” Limits power of the ruler

1215-Magna Carta Details Contract b/w king and nobility Influence on Founders Gov’t based on contract Rule of law (higher law! Contract b/w king and nobility King cannot take away nobility’s rights Nobility must obey laws

1215-Magna Carta Why imp. to dev. of const. gov’t? Limits on power of ruler Rule of law-all sides obey the law Contract-both sides have responsibility Foundation for protection of all ppl

Constitutional Government Citizens have rights Gov’t responsibility to protect rights Limits on the power of gov’t Private domain Changed with consent (contract)

1258-Parliament Details Nobles force king to create advisory coun.=Parliament House of Lords-nobles House of Commons-large land owners

1258-Parliament Details Grows from advisory to representative body Struggle for power

1258-Parliament Why imp. to dev. of Const. Gov’t? Separation of powers Representative gov’t

Constitutional Government Citizens have rights Gov’t responsibility to protect rights Limits on the power of gov’t (separation of powers) Private domain Changed with consent (contract, representative government)

1628-Petition of Right Details King tried to pressure ppl for money w/o consent from Parl. King tried to house soldiers in ppl’s homes

1628-Petition of Right Details King forced to sign Petition of Right Could not collect taxes without consent of Parl. Could not imprison people without just cause (habeas corpus) Could not house troops in private homes. Could not declare martial law.

1628-Petition of Right Why imp. to dev. of Const. Gov’t? P of R strengthened the idea that English subjects had rights the gov’t could not violate

Constitutional Government Citizens have rights Gov’t responsibility to protect rights Limits on the power of gov’t Private domain Changed with consent (contract)

1689-English Bill of Rights Details By 1688, balance of power shifts to Parl. Eng. B of R passed in 1689 (Glorious Revolution) Gave rights to Parl. Further limited power of Monarch

1689-English Bill of Rights Why imp. to dev of Const gov’t? Free elections to Parl. Right to petition the government Parliament must agree to suspend laws, levy taxes, or maintain an army Monarch cannot take arms from Prot. Monarch cannot interfere w/ right to free speech or debate in Parl. No cruel or unusual punishment

Constitutional Government Citizens have rights Gov’t responsibility to protect rights Limits on the power of gov’t Private domain Changed with consent (contract)

An English Political Heritage English colonists brought with them a heritage of freedom and principles of government that helped shape the development of the United States. Most important to the colonists was to have a government which limited the monarch’s power and represented the will of the people.

Trace In narrative form, describe progress, development of historical events from some point of origin.

Trace the development of constitutional government in Great Britain. 1066 Feudalism 1215 Magna Carta 1258 Parliament 1628 Petition of Right 1689 English Bill of Rights