Our English Heritage
Common Law (don’t write) Since ancient times, England had no written laws People had their own rules to live by Courts also had power of law
Common Law Common Law- system of law based on precedent Precedent- rulings based on earlier cases
England’s Early Government Monarchy- government ruled by a king or queen Nobles- people of rank and own land
King John Bankrupted throne further with more war with France Treated the nobles poorly
Magna Carta Nobles, treated poorly by King John; rebelled against him. Nobles won! Forced him to sign the Great Letter (Magna Carta)
This changes things Before King John Signed Magna Carta… God King Law Nobles Everyone Else After King John Signed Magna Carta…. God Law King Nobles Everyone Else
Henry III Henry III had a group of nobles and church people to help him rule the kingdom Became Parliament- the legislature of England Legislature- lawmaking body
Parliament Today
Glorious Revolution King James II Parliament removed the King Parliament stronger than King Parliament kicked out James. forced King William and Mary to sign the English Bill of Rights
English Bill of Rights The King could not: – Suspend Parliament’s laws – Create special courts – Raise taxes – Raise an army Without Parliament’s permission
English Bill of Rights Members of Parliament were freely elected and had freedom of speech Every citizen had right to a fair trial by jury No Cruel and unusual punishments
English Heritage in America Colony- group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country elsewhere
Jamestown Charter given by King James I for colony in Virginia Charter- written document granting land and authority to set up a government House of Burgesses- representatives from each county to help the governor run the colony – Became a legislature
Mayflower Compact Plymouth: other settlers, Pilgrims Compact- agreement or contract among a group of people “Just and equal laws…for the general good of the colony”
By 1733: 13 colonies had formed in North America controlled by England
Beginnings of a Democracy
Life in the Colonies (Do not write) Tough, but manageable
French and Indian War War Between France and Great Britain Also fought in the Colonies Indians on side of France
1763: Britain wins! But…..wars are expensive….
British Win! (do not write) Get New Territory, but, have a lot of debt (wars are expensive) How do we pay for this?
How to pay for the War Stamp Act- all colonists had to buy expensive stamps to all pieces of paper
How the Colonists Reacted “No Taxation without Representation” Boycott- refusal to buy goods for a certain reason Repeal- to cancel a law
Declaratory Act Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies “in all cases”
Townshend Act Parliament taxed things they colonists couldn’t make themselves Glass, tea, paper, lead Colonists boycotted more
Tea Act British East India Trading Company Sold tea for cheaper than the colonists ever had
Boston Tea Party Boston colonists dumped 342 chests of tea into Boston Harbor
Coercive Acts Punishment for Boston Tea Party Occupy Boston Restricted colonist’s rights, trial by jury, moving soldiers into people’s homes Intolerable Acts (to colonists)
First Continental Congress Each colony sent delegates to Philadelphia to discuss matters Delegates- representatives Wrote letter to King George demanding rights to colonists be restored
April, 1775 Lexington Concorde British fight the Americans trying to take away their weapons “shots heard round the world”
Second Continental Congress Debated best course: – Independence or no?
Thomas Paine January 1776: – Wrote Pamphlet, Common Sense Called for colonists to declare independence from England More than half of delegates agreed with independence
Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson July 4, 1776