1. Roots of American Democracy
Our English Heritage

2. Ancient History
The American style of government can be traced back to ancient times
Hammurabi's Code
Democracy in Athens
12 Tables and Justinian Code in Rome
Etc.

3. What Influenced Colonial Government
The Magna Carta
A.D., a document that limited the control of the monarch
- gave rights and privileges to nobles and landholders
- rights were eventually extended to all English people and included trial by jury

4. Parliament
By late 1300’s England had legislative body known as parliament
Glorious Revolution took place in 1688
- Parliament was now more powerful than the monarch
1689-The English Bill of Rights
- free elections, fair trial and elimination of cruel/unusual punishment

5. Common Law Appeared in England
Laws passed on precedent or rulings in an earlier case.
Still exists today.

6. The Enlightenment Philosophical movement in 16 and 1700’s
Emphasized natural rights, social contracts and separation of power
John Locke, Rousseau and Montesquieu
Greatly influenced American forefathers

7. Self-Government in the Colonies
Beginning in 1600’s England began establishing colonies in America
1ST permanent English settlement was Jamestown,VA
It was a joint-stock company based on charters
House of Burgesses -1st representative legislature in the English colonies

8. Representative Government
Pilgrims and Puritans settled in Massachusetts
Created a written plan for government called The Mayflower Compact
Held town meetings

9. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
America’s first written constitution!!!
By 1733, England had 13 colonies in America and each colony had its own representative government.