1. Foundations of Representative Government

2. Define English Bill Of Rights King John Magna Carta Parliament
Rule Of Law
Rule Of Man
Salutary Neglect
Taxation Without Representation

3. The Magna Carta & Parliament
Colonial gov’t was based on principles established in England.
rule of law limited gov’t
no one is above gov’t can’t do
the law whatever it wants

4. In 1215 King John I was forced to sign a document…the Magna Carta (Great Charter). Gave nobles various rights and
prevented the king
from imposing taxes
w/o the consent of Parliament
a council. Beginnings of
lawmaking
body of England

5. Parliament gained additional
Power in 1689 with the
English Bill of Rights
No interference in parliamentary elections
Speedy trial
No cruel & unusual punishment
Right to petition the gov’t

6. English gov’t also practiced common law Based on tradition or past court decisions rather than on written law

7. Memory Jogger
Name two documents the colonists were familiar with and used to set up their own colonial governments. Magna Carta & English Bill of Rights

8. Enlightenment 1600s England revolutionary ideas in philosophy and political thought John Locke

9. People are born with certain natural rights that no one can take away…life, liberty & property
Social contract theory…there is an implied contract between gov’t & citizens
for the good of
Citizens are born society, people
with freedom & agree to give up
rights certain freedoms
so the gov’t can
maintain order

10. If a gov’t fails to fulfill its role to serve citizens, the gov’t should be replaced Due to England’s policy of salutary neglect, settlers in America became accustomed to sovereignty (power over themselves)

11. The colonies made their own decisions and established their own policies w/o England imposing too many restrictions England allowed this freedom for 3 reasons…

12. The great distance between Europe & America
The strong tradition of local gov’t that existed in England
Most colonists were proud to be British citizens & didn’t need to be forced to follow British law

13. First example of limited gov’t in the colonies House of Burgesses (Virginia) 2 houses elected by appointed by the royal the people governor TENSION

14. Memory Jogger
What term describes the idea that a gov’t can’t do whatever it wants? Limited government

15. Check your Terms!
English Bill Of Rights Passed by English Parliament in 1689 to limit the power of the monarch. It established rights that citizens should have under a constitutional monarchy. It was very influential in the formation of the American Bill of Rights.
King John This English monarch is alleged to be the enemy of Robin Hood, but he is best remembered as the king who was forced to sign the Magna Carta which placed limits on absolute rule in Britain.
Magna Carta This was the Great Charter of English liberty granted (under considerable duress) by King John at Runnymede on June 15, 1215.
Parliament This is the name given to a legislative body- such as that in Great Britain- that is usually led by a Prime Minister.
Rule Of Law This is the legal notion that the power of government is limited and restrained by legal means and is not at the mercy and whims of individuals.
Rule Of Man This political concept describes the political condition in which a single ruler or party exercises absolute authority and is not bound by any law.
Salutary Neglect This refers to the unofficial British policy of enforcing few of the restrictions legally placed on their North American colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Taxation Without Representation A common complaint of American Colonists, they felt they were taxed from England without having any vote in Parliament.