History and Philosophy

Foundations of English Colonial

Government

Magna Carta - 1215• Latin for “Great Charter”• English barons forced

King John to sign in 1215• Guaranteed rights for

nobles such as trial by jury and no excessive fines

• Established principles of limited monarchy and “law of the land”

• Rights later extended to all English citizens

House of Burgesses - 1619

• Established by Virginia Company• Made up of governor, governor’s council, and

representatives elected by male landowners • First representative government in colonies

Mayflower Compact - 1620

• Signed by 41 white males on board the Mayflower

• Agreed to create a “civil body politick” to make laws

• Established idea of local citizens governing themselves in the colonies

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut - 1639

• Thomas Hooker rejected joining of church and state in MA

• Connecticut established separation of church and state

• Non-church members allowed to vote

• First constitution in the colonies

English Bill of Rights - 1689• King James II forced out for promoting Catholic faith in

England• Signed by new king and queen William and Mary• Gave more power to Parliament and the people and

weakened monarchy

American colonies claimed these rights for themselves as well!

Enlightenment ThinkersJohn Locke (1632-1704)

• Influential philosopher• Believed in natural rights

of life, liberty, and property (sound familiar?)

• Governments created by people to protect their rights

• People could revolt against unfair governments

Charles de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

• French nobleman• Supported dividing

power into three branches

• Influenced framers of Constitution

William Blackstone (1723-1780)

• British lawyer and legal scholar

• Classic Commentaries on English Law influenced Constitution and U.S. law