Download - What Influenced the C olonies Government?
What Influenced the Colonies Government?
Objective 1.02
Big Question
If you started your own country, what are 3 laws you
would write and enforce? Why?
With a partner discuss the following question.
Do you recognize these words?
legislationBill of rights
Declaration of independence
governor
Town hall meetings
democracyconstitution
elections
Influence on the Colonies?
EnglandWhere were the first settlers from?
So, whose government do you think would influence the new colonies?
England
In order to understand England’s influence we need to go back to
the beginning.
Absolute Monarchy
King Henry 1Queen ElizabethKing William the
Conqueror
England was an absolute monarchy. This meant that their kings and queens had UNLIMITED power over the English people.
Meet King John1215 The nobles rebelled against King John.
They forced the king to sign an agreement called Magna Carta. This document protected the nobles and
later gave rights to all English people.
mean man
Road to a Glorious Revolution
After a transfer of power to William and Mary there was a peaceful time called the Glorious Revolution. From
this time on no ruler would have more power than Parliament.
Parliament
1689Parliament wrote the English Bill of Rights• Free election to Parliament• Right to a fair trial• elimination of cruel and unusual punishments
Bill of Rights…does this sound familiar?
Arrival
Road to Self Government
House of Burgesses
Salutary neglect
Mayflower Compact
Fundamental Order of Connecticut
Jamestown 1612
After the establishment of Jamestown the 1st
legislature was created. It was called the
House of Burgesses.
What is a Burgess? A citizen of an English town.
Mayflower Compact
Pact to have a direct democracy.
• Town hall meetings• Local town government
Do you see evidence of this today?
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
1639In Connecticut the first constitution
was written called the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
It stated:1. That the assembly of elected
representatives from each town to make laws.
2. There would be a popular election of a governor and judges
Salutary Neglect
Separated by more than 3000 miles, Great Britain still had loose control over the
colonies which they called salutary neglect.
The colonies were self governing and taking care of their own problems while England
was focused on problems in England.
Do you recognize these words?
Fundamental Order of Connecticut
House of Burgesses
Salutary Neglect
Mayflower Compact
English Bill of Rights Absolute monarch
Magna Carta
Glorious Revolution