1. Representative Government Origins

2. Magna Carta The idea that government was not all powerful first appeared in the document King John signed it in 1215 It established the principle of limited government in which the power of the king, or government was limited The idea of trial by jury came from this document

3. English Bill of Rights Guaranteed certain basic rights to all citizens in England (1689) It became part of English law that the American colonists shared. It later inspired the people who created the American Bill of Rights

4. Great Awakening A religious revival that swept through the colonies between 1720s and 1740s Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield helped spread it Encouraged religious freedom Religious beliefs contributed to the growth of representative government Colonists were urged to get more involved and study the Bible themselves

5. Great Awakening continued Emphasized people’s equality in the eyes of God Proclaimed “salvation for all” which democratized the protestant faith Churches welcomed women, African Americans, and Native Americans Inspires colonists to help others

6. Freedom of the Press John Peter Zenger published a newspaper accusing the governor of New York in corruption. The governor put Zenger on trial Zenger won his case when his lawyer proved the statements were true This led to an important role in the development of freedom of the press an important aspect of representative government

7. Public Education Puritans passed a law in 1647 that public schools would be supported by taxes