changing society in colonial america striving for liberty and equality
TRANSCRIPT
Changing Society in Colonial America
Striving for Liberty and Equality
Changes in England Set the Stage
Magna Carta (1215) – signed by King John to give more rights to English aristocracy (helped balance king’s royal power in government)
Colonists used this in the 1700s to back their argument of no taxation without prior approval by Parliament
Changes in England Set the Stage
Petition of Right (1628) – attempt by Parliament to declare some of King Charles I’s acts unconstitutional (quartering soldiers in private homes, taxation without Parliament’s approval, martial law, sending citizens to jail unfairly)
Colonists later used many of these arguments to defend their desired break with England
Changes in England Set the Stage
Petition of Right (1628) – continued
Went against divine right of kings and set the stage for law of the land being above the king’s desires
King Charles I refused this so he was executed in 1649
Changes in England Set the Stage
English Bill of Rights (1689) – identified some rights and liberties as undeniable to the people
Gave all citizens the right to petition
Also limited king’s powers of taxation and keeping an army
Colonists would also later claim these rights as English citizens
Colonial America in the 1700s
Mirrored English society in many ways:
- royal governors had more power than in the past
- “levels” or “classes” of society became more clear
- rules of English law were followed more closely
- upper ruling class (both socially and politically) came into being
Colonial America in the 1700s
Why did these changes in society happen?
- trade across the ocean
- increased demand for rice and tobacco
- land was easy to obtain
Colonial America in the 1700s
How did colonial America compare to England?
- colonial elite generally had less money
- source of power/money was not as stable as in England so ruling class tended to fluctuate
- Colonial ruling class still tended to mimic
English customs, manners, and government
Growing Pains
Colonists began to assert their desire for liberty and equal rights
Began to rebel against what they considered tyrannical acts and lesser treatment from the King and Parliament (often used prior acts from England – Magna Carta, Petition of Right, English Bill of Rights, etc.)
William Cosby vs. John Peter Zenger
Cosby was royal governor of New York
Zenger was a German immigrant who had been set up as publisher of New York Weekly Journal by those who were against Cosby
William Cosby vs. John Peter Zenger
Lewis Morris (opponent of Cosby) was removed from office of Chief Justice by Cosby
New York Weekly Journal published anonymous articles that criticized Cosby’s firing of Morris
William Cosby vs. John Peter Zenger
Cosby charged Zenger with “seditious libel” (defaming, embarrassing, or challenging the government)
Under English law, only needed to establish whether or not the communication was made public in order to be convicted; truth did not matter!
William Cosby vs. John Peter Zenger
Zenger’s lawyer, Andrew Hamilton persuaded the jury that what Zenger had printed was truthful and, therefore, could not be libel
Helped establish freedom of the press
Massachusetts Body of Liberties (1641)
First protection of free speech in America
Established speedy trial by jury and right to legal representation
Set up bail and denied cruel and unusual punishments