Origins of American Government

Before the United States… English came to the US in the largest numbers Controlled 13 colonies Established laws, customs and practices

3 ideas that helped shape the US… 1. Ordered Government – Need for an orderly regulation of the relationships with one another – Ex: sheriff, grand jury 2. Limited Government – Government is limited – Rights that cannot be taken away 3. Representative Government – People should have a voice in deciding what government should and should not do

Landmark Documents Magna Carta ( Great Charter)-power of the monarchy was not absolute – Ex: trial by jury, due process of law The Petition of Right – Challenged the idea of the divine right of kings – Monarchs must obey the law of the land The English Bill of Rights – Prevented the abuse of power by English monarchs – Forms the basis for much in government today

RightsMagna Carta (1215)English Bill of Rights (1689) Bill of Rights (1791) Trial by juryXXX Due ProcessXXX Private PropertyXX No unreasonable searches and seizures X No cruel and unusual punishment XX Right to bear armsXX Right to petitionxX Freedom of speechX Freedom of the press X Freedom of religionx

Charter Written grant of authority from the king

Government in the colonies 1.Royal colonies – subject to direct control of the king 2.Proprietary Colonies – A proprietor was a person to whom the king had made a grant of land – Land could be settled and governed by the proprietor MD-Lord Baltimore PA & DE William Penn

3. Charter colonies – Self-governing – CT, RI

13 colonies Separately controlled under the king Government in all important matters from London

London-Colonist relationship London was responsible for colonial defense or foreign affairs Provided a uniform system of money and credit and a common market for colonial trade Little was taken in direct taxes to pay for the central government Few regulations, mostly about trade, were largely ignored

King George III to the throne… 1760, Britain began to deal with the colonists more firmly – Imposed restrictive trading acts – Enforced new tax laws – “taxation without representation” – Colonists refused to accept British control over local affairs

Resentment in the colonies Declaration of Rights and Grievances Showed anger in evasion of laws Mob violence erupted Supported boycotts Boston Tea Party-1773

First/Second Continental Congress First CC – Intolerable Acts Laws created to punish colonists for the troubles in Boston 55 delegates discussed the worsening situation Second CC – Nation’s first national government