English Political HeritageEarly Influences on American Government

Georgia Professional Standards

SSCG1: The Student will demonstrate knowledge of the political philosophies that shaped the development of the United States Constitutional government. A. Analyze key ideas of limited government

and the rule of law as seen in the Magna Carta, the Petition of Rights, and the English Bill of Rights.

Vocabulary Word Bank(V2)

1. Limited Government

2. Magna Carta

3. Petition of Right

4. Popular sovereignty

English Political Heritage

The English monarchy – kings and queens

Kings and queens had total control (absolute power)

People wanted rights

1215 – The Magna Carta (“Great Charter”) – gave English nobles rights

King John

Magna Carta• In 1215, English nobles believed King

John was abusing his power by forcing them to supply armies, equipment, and money for his many campaigns. Those who failed to do so were severely punished. A war transpired between the nobles and the king – a war that the nobles won.

• As a result, they forced the King John to sign the Magna Carta, or Great Charter.

The Magna Carta

1215

Important rights were given to the people – NOBLES ONLY

Government should be based on the rule of law

Due Process/Trial by jury

Religious freedoms

Rule of law

The Magna Carta

Parliament – Representative Gov’t

1200’s – Formation of Parliament

Representative government – the people elect representatives for them

Similar to our Congress

Petition of Right

1628: Charles I asked Parliament for money. Parliament asked for the Petition of Right in exchange. It limited the King’s power.

Challenged the idea of the divine right of kings.Unlawful imprisonmentMartial law in time of peaceShelter troops without consent of homeowners

The English Bill of Rights1688 – The Glorious Revolution – peaceful revolt

Parliament drafts a bill of rights

Bill of Rights = individual rights

William III and Mary II

Rule of Law

English Bill of Rights

1688: Prohibited a standing army in peacetimeParliamentary elections be freeMonarchs could not suspend laws or their execution without consent of parliamentAbolished cruel & unusual punishmentOnly Parliament can levy moneyThe individual subjects can petition

Three Ideas of Exported to America

1. Ordered Government: Imported the ideas of an orderly regulated relationship with government. (Sheriff, coroner, assessor, Justice of the Peace.)

2. Limited Government: government is not all powerful and is restricted in what it can do, individuals have rights that government cannot take away.

3. Representative Government: The people have a right or voice in government thru representation. “government of, by, and for the people.”

SummaryEarly Influences on American Government

Magna Carta

Parliament – Representative Gov’t

Petition of Right

The English Bill of Rights

Small Group Activity

The Magna Carta reading

Work on assigned question as a group and use evidence from the reading to support your answer.

Journal

What historical documents influenced the development of U.S. Constitutional government?

Name the documents and the ideas that came from each.

References

PowerPoint: Manolis, T, Twiggs County High School. 2009 - 2010

Pop Quiz

Identify the 3 basic concepts of government in the English colonies.

List 3 landmark English documents that influenced American Government.

Word Bank(V2)

1. Limited Government

2. Magna Carta

3. Petition of Right

4. Popular sovereignty