Influences on American Colonial Government

2 Types of Democracy (Rule by the People) – Direct – Everyone rules (only possible with small populations) – Athens first direct democracy. – Representative – People choose leaders to govern for them (Referred to as a Republic) – Romans created first republic

Magna Carta In 1215, nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. King could not tax without permission. Gave rights to free men. Established limited government. Parliament (law making body) was formed.

English Bill of Rights Par. made William & Mary sign English Bill of Rights before taking throne – Agreed Citizen’s had rights no King could violate – Signing Bill of Rights ended struggle between Par. & Monarchy

Social Contract - People give up some rights in order to be protected by government.

John Locke People are born with natural rights. – Including rights to life, liberty and property. Gov. had to protect people’s natural rights. If gov. did not, people had right to overthrow it. Published Two Treatises of Government.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau Wrote The Social Contract Felt people had the right to decide how they should be governed. What form of government did he most believe in?

Baron de Montesquieu Believed gov. power should be divided into branches. Each branch of gov. should be able to limit power of other 2 branches, creating a balanced gov.

Jamestown: 1st permanent English settlement in North America First ruled by a governor and council (which the company appointed). Later on, colony allowed to make own laws to attract settlers. Colonist elected leaders to an assembly called the House of Burgesses.

Mayflower Compact: In 1620, Pilgrims set off for North America in search of religious freedom. Knew they needed to establish a compact (written agreement). Choose leaders and work together to make laws. Established a direct democracy.

Colonial Government

Settling English Colonies – Most settlers came from England. – Main reason settlers came was to earn a living. – Others came for religious freedom. – Wanted a place to worship in their own way. – Puritans settled in Mass.

New England Colonies By 1733, England had 13 colonies. Located the farthest north. Farming was difficult b/c of rocky soil and climate. Most colonists up north were Puritans. Ship building, fishing, and fur trading main economic activity.

Middle Colonies Climate and geography good for farming. Grew cash crops Port cities began to grow Saw mills, mines, iron works, and other businesses main economic activities.

Southern Colonies Warm climate and long growing season perfect for large scale farming. Tobacco and rice main cash crop. Plantations dominated coastal region. Enslaved labor needed to work large scale farms.

Governing colonies Most colonists loyal to England. Due to distance, began to depend on their own governments. Parliament passed laws to control colonies. Colonists ignored laws. Royal governor appointed by King for each colony.

Governing colonies Most colonists loyal to England. Due to distance, began to depend on their own governments. Parliament passed laws to control colonies. Colonists ignored laws. Royal governor appointed by King for each colony.

Governor vs. Legislatures – Each colony had an elected assembly AND a royal governor appointed by the King. – Assemblies had power to tax & decide how to spend money. – By 1700’s, colonies used to governing themselves. – Felt governor put British interests above colonists

Lesson 3

Colonists depended on Parliament to protect from King’s abuses. Parliament & King made laws/taxes favoring British interests. Enlightenment – People questioned traditional political beliefs.

French & Indian War – Colonists wanted to go west into French areas. – French joined with Native Americans to fight colonists. – British sent troops and defeated French & Native Americans. – Long and costly war.

New Laws & Taxes – After war, colonists wanted to settle in areas won from French. King George issued proclamation forbidding it. – Colonists enraged. – King George & Parliament then wanted to tax colonists. Passed Stamp Act – Documents had tax stamps placed on them.

Colonists protested Stamp Act – They boycotted (or refused to buy) British goods. – Claimed only their elected assembly could tax them Parliament repealed (cancelled) Stamp Act – However, they passed the Declaratory Act – Parliament had to tax colonies & make all decisions for them.

1770- King & Par. created Townshend Acts taxing glass, paper & tea. Townshend Acts were repealed, EXCEPT for tax on tea Tea Act- No tax on British made tea, making it much cheaper than the colonist’s tea.

Boston Tea Party- Angry colonists disguised as Native Americans dumped 342 chests of British tea into Boston Harbor. Parliament responded with Coercive Acts to punish Massachusetts (Boston). Colonists referred to these as Intolerable Acts.

BOSTON TEA PARTY

First Continental Congress Met in Sept Sent a letter to King George III. Organized boycott of trade with England. King responded “a fight must decide whether colonies are subject to Britain or independent.”

Second Continental Congress Met again in May Battle of Lexington and Concord begins war. Debated for months on splitting from Britain. Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense. Used ideas of Locke. Congress finally favored independence.

Declaration of Independence Congress chose a committee to draft a document. Jefferson was in charge. Used ideas from Locke. July 4, 1776, Continental Congress approved the Declaration.