Our Political Beginnings

Overview

Defined: The institution through which a

society makes and enforces its public policies. It is made up of those people who exercise its

powers, all those who have authority to control over people

What is a Government?

Basic Concepts of Government

Earliest French settlers bring knowledge of established political system

Modeled from English system of government

Many of these ideas come from outside of England, however

1. Ordered Government

2. Limited Government

3. Representative Government

Magna Carta

Group of barons force King John to sign the

“Great Charter” in 1215 This group sought protection from the king’s

heavy handed and arbitrary acts Included fundamental rights:

- Trial by jury- Due process of the law (protection against arbitrary taking of life, liberty, or property

Magna Carta (cont.)

What does this landmark event state about the power of the monarchy?

Critical Thinking

The Petition of Right

1628 – King Charles asks Parliament for tax raises Parliament refuses until Petition of Right is signed

by the king

The Petition of Right

This document limited the power of the king in

several ways: Demanded the king no longer imprison or

punish any person without due process King would not impose martial law in peace

time or require homeowners to shelter the king’s troops without consent

No man should be “compelled to make or yield any gift, loan, benevolence, tax, or such a charge without common consent by act of parliament.”

Petition of Right (cont.)

The English Colonies

Often described as “13 schools of government”

Established separately over 125 years

First colony settled at Jamestown, VA in 1607

Charters – Each colony established with this, a written grand of authority from the king

What ideas influenced the first colonial

governments? Hebrews-

(Ten Commandments) – laws based on morals Greeks-

(direct democracy) – everyone participated directly (smaller society)

Romans- (Classical republic) – elect people to represent you.

People practice “civic virtue”. Promotion of the common good. Moral education.

The English Colonies

The English Bill of Rights

Parliament offers crown to William and Mary of Orange after years of revolt and turmoil

This event is known as the Glorious Revolution

Forced to sign document preventing the abuse of their power

What it accomplished:

Prohibited a standing army in peacetime, except with Parliamentary consent

Required all Parliamentary elections be free Included the right to a fair trial by all citizens Subjects were to be free of excessive Included freedom from “cruel or unusual

punishment”

The English Bill of Rights