Government in the Colonies Early English Government
Colonial Government Limitations By colonial times, England was in the process of developing into a constitutional monarchy By colonial times, England was in the process of developing into a constitutional monarchy The monarch (king or queen) governed under rules established by law The monarch (king or queen) governed under rules established by law English people (including colonists) had rights protected by English law. English people (including colonists) had rights protected by English law. Laws & taxes were made by Parliament (qualified voters* elected the lower house & nobles inherited seats in the upper house Laws & taxes were made by Parliament (qualified voters* elected the lower house & nobles inherited seats in the upper house
*Qualified voters were *Qualified voters were Free (not slaves or indentured servants) Free (not slaves or indentured servants) White (English) White (English) Males Males Age 21 or over Age 21 or over Property owners (approx. 50 acres of land or the equivalent in businesses, ships, buildings, etc. ) Property owners (approx. 50 acres of land or the equivalent in businesses, ships, buildings, etc. ) Members of the established church Members of the established church
American colonists: American colonists: Voted for the local colonial legislatures (but had no reps in English Parliament) Voted for the local colonial legislatures (but had no reps in English Parliament) Colonial legislatures decided local taxes and voting qualifications (amount of property and required church membership varied somewhat by colony) Colonial legislatures decided local taxes and voting qualifications (amount of property and required church membership varied somewhat by colony) English Parliament also had right to veto or overrule any laws passed by colonial legislatures. English Parliament also had right to veto or overrule any laws passed by colonial legislatures.
Foundations for American Democracy Magna Carta1215 Magna Carta1215 Virginia House of Burgesses 1619 Virginia House of Burgesses 1619 Established the ideas that all men should be granted certain rights, the king had limits to his power, and not all power in the gov. was given to the king. Established the ideas that all men should be granted certain rights, the king had limits to his power, and not all power in the gov. was given to the king. Established idea that people should have some say in the way they are governed. Established idea that people should have some say in the way they are governed.
Mayflower Compact 1620 Mayflower Compact 1620 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639 English Bill of Rights 1689 English Bill of Rights 1689 Established idea that people could form their own gov. for the good of all Established idea that people could form their own gov. for the good of all 1 st written constitution establishing idea that people have power to create their own gov. 1 st written constitution establishing idea that people have power to create their own gov. Reaffirmed idea people have rights and power of king has limits. Reaffirmed idea people have rights and power of king has limits.
Principles Individual Rights Individual Rights Limited Government Limited Government Separation of Power Separation of Power People have basic rights the gov. cannot take away People have basic rights the gov. cannot take away Gov is not all powerful; members of gov. must follow the law Gov is not all powerful; members of gov. must follow the law Not all of the power of gov. is given to one individual or group, the power is separated to help prevent abuses of power Not all of the power of gov. is given to one individual or group, the power is separated to help prevent abuses of power
Republicanism Republicanism Popular Sovereignty Popular Sovereignty Gov. is run by ELECTED representatives (‘reps’ of the public) Gov. is run by ELECTED representatives (‘reps’ of the public) The people rule; the power of gov. comes from the people The people rule; the power of gov. comes from the people