CHAPTER 4:CHAPTER 4:

America’s Political HeritageAmerica’s Political Heritage

A group of people chosen to MAKE LAWS

Formed in 1619

Jamestown, Virginia

First Representative Democracy in Colonies

Charter = document that gave permission to form government

Early on England left the colonists alone, this was called,

Pilgrims on the Mayflower – religious freedom

Also = new government = mayflower compact =

Direct Democracy / trail by peers

Southern Colonies = Agriculture = rice and tobacco / Used Slaves

New England Colonies = fishing, ship building and farming / Tended to be religious

Middle Colonies = factories produced paper and textiles / some farming /

Representatives are elected to make laws

First used by the Romans

Famous document signed in 1215

Not that Guy!

“Life, Liberty and Property”

Fought in North America = Britain v. France.

Colonists fought on the side of GB

War cost GB a lot – Get it back through taxes

British King makes agreement with Native Americans – giving them the land west of the Appalachians = Angered colonists

When countries, like Britain, exploit their colonies by forcing them to trade solely with them.

1770 – British troops open fire on civilian protesters – 5 people are killed

British Government wanted to raise money – decided to tax the colonies through the stamp act.

Very unpopular with colonists – who argued they had nobody in parliament to speak up for them.

Boycotted goods

In protest of a tax on tea (Tea Act) some colonists dumped tea into Boston harbor.

The British Government was so mad about the signs of rebellion in the colonies that they passed tough new laws called

But the colonists had a different name for it…….

Wrote ‘Common Sense’

A best seller in 1776 – It basically told Americans they needed to seek independence.

2nd Continental Congress – 1776

War already on

Committee chosen to write it

MAIN GUY=

= America’s first government

+ Won the war

+ North West Ordinances

+ Brought country together

-no power to regulate trade

-no power to tax

-no power to enforce laws

-no executive branch

Daniel Shays = Massachusetts Farmer

Led rebellion against state government

Highlighted weakness of Articles of Confederation