Purpose of Government

• To form a more perfect union

• Establish justice

• Insure domestic tranquility

• Provide for the common defense

• Promote the general welfare

• Secure the blessings of liberty

Landmark English Documents

The basic notions of freedom and government can be traced back to

several landmark documents in English history

The Magna Carta (1215)

• A group of land barons forced King John to sign the document, which established the principle that the king’s power is not absolute.

– Trial by jury– Due process of the law– Protection from arbitrary taking of life,

liberty, or property

Provisions of Oxford (1264)Bicameral

• Written to limit the monarchy, it included the establishment of a baronial council that could veto the king’s decisions.

– Established the parliament– Included the great land owning barons-

House of Lords– Two knights from each sire– Two representatives from each town House of Commons

Petition of Right (1628);

• The king can not imprison political critics

• Trial by jury

• Rule the military in times of peace

• People are not required to shelter troops without the homeowners consent

• The petition challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and even the monarch must obey the law

The English bill of Rights 1689

• This document declared; – All elections be free and for everyone– The right to a fair and speedy trial– Freedom from excessive bail– Cruel and unusual punishment

John Locke

• He was an English philosopher that stated; life, liberty and property were natural rights rather than privileges.

• This heavily influenced the forefathers when writing the constitution and the U.S. bill of rights.

Basic Concept of Governmentthat Influenced the Colonies

• Ordered Government; to provided an orderly regulation with one another(sheriff, justice of the peace….)

• Limited Government; gov. is limited in what it can, it is not all powerful

• Represented Government; people have a voice in gov. “ Government by the people for the people”