1. Origins of American Government

2. Our Political Beginnings

3. “It is, Sir, the people’s government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people.” “It is, Sir, the people’s government, made for the people, made by the people, and answerable to the people.” Daniel Webster (1830) Daniel Webster (1830)

4. Political Dictionary limited government limited government representative government representative government Magna Carta Magna Carta Petition of Right Petition of Right English Bill of Rights English Bill of Rights Charter Charter Bicameral Bicameral Proprietary Proprietary unicameral unicameral

5. Basic Concepts of Government Ordered government Ordered government Came with the English settlers Came with the English settlers Laws, customs, practices and institutions Laws, customs, practices and institutions Colonists brought three ideas that would help shape the government in the United States. Colonists brought three ideas that would help shape the government in the United States.

6. Ordered Government Local governments were created based on what they had know in England. Local governments were created based on what they had know in England. Many of the offices are still used today. Many of the offices are still used today. Sheriff, coroner, assessor, and justice of the peace, the grand jury, counties, and townships and others. Sheriff, coroner, assessor, and justice of the peace, the grand jury, counties, and townships and others.

7. Limited Government Colonists thought the government should not be all-powerful. Colonists thought the government should not be all-powerful. The government should be restricted in what they do. The government should be restricted in what they do. Each individual should have certain rights the government should not take away. Each individual should have certain rights the government should not take away. This concept is called limited government and has been around since Jamestown (1607) This concept is called limited government and has been around since Jamestown (1607)

8. Representative Government The idea that the government should serve the will of the people. The idea that the government should serve the will of the people. People should have a voice in deciding what government can and can not do. People should have a voice in deciding what government can and can not do. The notion of “government of, by, and for the people.” found fertile soil in America. The notion of “government of, by, and for the people.” found fertile soil in America.

9. Magna Carta Signed by King John in 1215. Signed by King John in 1215. Included fundamental rights of trial by jury and due process of law. Included fundamental rights of trial by jury and due process of law. Against the arbitrary taking of life, liberty, or property. Against the arbitrary taking of life, liberty, or property. Over time these became the right of all the English people. Over time these became the right of all the English people. Established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute. Established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute.

10. Petition of Right Limited the King’s power in many ways. Limited the King’s power in many ways. The king could no longer imprison someone unless they had a trial by a jury of their peers. The king could no longer imprison someone unless they had a trial by a jury of their peers. King could not impose martial law in time of peace. King could not impose martial law in time of peace. Or require homeowners to shelter the King’s troops in time of peace. Or require homeowners to shelter the King’s troops in time of peace. Challenged the divine right of king’s Challenged the divine right of king’s

11. Bill of Rights Designed to prevent abuse of power by future monarchs. Designed to prevent abuse of power by future monarchs. This document prohibited a standing army in peacetime. This document prohibited a standing army in peacetime. Right to a fair trial. Right to a fair trial. Freedom from excessive bail Freedom from excessive bail Cruel and unusual punishment. Cruel and unusual punishment.

12. English Colonies “13 schools of government” “13 schools of government” Established separately over 125 years. Established separately over 125 years. Each colony had a charter, a written grant from the king Each colony had a charter, a written grant from the king Each colony settled for different reasons. Each colony settled for different reasons. Some were employees of a company Some were employees of a company Some for greater religious freedom Some for greater religious freedom Some as a haven for debtors Some as a haven for debtors

13. Royal Colonies Subject to direct control of the king Subject to direct control of the king The king named the governor as the chief executive. The king named the governor as the chief executive. A council named by the king also served as an advisor and later became the upper house. A council named by the king also served as an advisor and later became the upper house. The lower house was elected by the property owners qualified to vote. The lower house was elected by the property owners qualified to vote.

14. Bicameral Two house legislature Two house legislature Shared the power of the purse Shared the power of the purse The governor advised by council appointed the judges for the courts. The governor advised by council appointed the judges for the courts. Laws passed by the legislators had to be approved by the Crown. Laws passed by the legislators had to be approved by the Crown. Often followed the instruction from London. Often followed the instruction from London.

15. Proprietary Colonies There were three: Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware There were three: Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Delaware Organize by a proprietor who received a land grant from the king. Organize by a proprietor who received a land grant from the king. By charter the land could be settled and governed by the proprietor. By charter the land could be settled and governed by the proprietor. Proprietor for Maryland was Lord Baltimore, William Penn for both Pennsylvania and Delaware. Proprietor for Maryland was Lord Baltimore, William Penn for both Pennsylvania and Delaware. Pennsylvania was unicameral (one house) Pennsylvania was unicameral (one house)

16. Charted Colonies Largely self governing. Largely self governing. Governors were elected by the white, male property owners. Governors were elected by the white, male property owners. Laws made by bicameral legislatures. Laws made by bicameral legislatures. Not subject to governors veto. Nor was crown approval needed. Not subject to governors veto. Nor was crown approval needed.

17. Chartered Colonies Judges appointed by legislatures. Judges appointed by legislatures. Were so liberal they kept their constitutions until the 1800” with few changes. Were so liberal they kept their constitutions until the 1800” with few changes. Many historians believe that if Britain allowed other colonies the same freedoms the Revolution might never have occurred. Many historians believe that if Britain allowed other colonies the same freedoms the Revolution might never have occurred.