1. Government in the Colonies
Early English Government

2. Colonial Government Limitations
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
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

3. *Qualified voters were
Free (not slaves or indentured servants)
White (English)
Males
Age 21 or over
Property owners (approx. 50 acres of land or the equivalent in businesses, ships, buildings, etc. )
Members of the established church

4. American colonists:
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)
English Parliament also had right to veto or overrule any laws passed by colonial legislatures.

6. Foundations for American Democracy
Magna Carta1215
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.* JURY TRIAL*
Established idea that people should have some say in the way they are governed.

7. Mayflower Compact 1620
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639
English Bill of Rights 1689
Established idea that people could form their own gov’t. for the good of all
1st written constitution establishing idea that people have power to create their own gov’t.
Reaffirmed idea people have rights and power of king has limits.

8. Principles Individual Rights Limited Government Separation of Power
People have basic rights the gov. cannot take away
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

9. Republicanism
Popular Sovereignty
Gov. is run by ELECTED representatives (‘reps’ of the public)
The people rule; the power of gov. comes from the people