Origins of American Government

Origins of American Government

Who were the early settlers of our country and why did they come?

English

-they came seeking:

-religious freedom

-a fresh start

-a big cash prize

-adventure

What basic concepts of government did they bring with

them?• Ordered Government

• Limited Government

• Representative Government

ordered government

Colonists saw the need for orderly regulation of their relationships with one another

they created local government based from what they had known previously

Limited Government

government should not be all powerful

each individual has certain rights that the government can not take away

Representative Government

government should serve the will of the people

the people should have a way to express their wants and wishes

What basic documents were these concepts based on?

• The Magna Carta

• The Petition of Right

• The Bill of Rights

The Magna this was an agreement between wealthy land owners

and the king

the barons were looking for protection from the kings arbitrary rulings

the king agreed to give up some of his powers

this established the principle of limited government and fundamental rights of English citizens

The Petition of Right limited the kings powers

elevated the power of parliament (parliament was a representative of the people)

gave further rights to the English people

trial by jury

no martial law

no sheltering of soldiers no taxing with the consent of parliament

The Bill of Rights this called for free elections

right to a fair and speedy trial

no excessive bail

no cruel and unusual punishment

What types of governments were established in the

colonies?

Royal ColoniesProprietary ColoniesCharter Colonies

Royal Colony subject to the control of the

crown

run by appointed governors

Proprietary Colony

Owned by wealthy individuals

Governors were appointed by the wealthy

Charter Colony

The Colony was granted by the King

Governors were elected by the colonist