foundations of american government our political beginnings
TRANSCRIPT
Foundations of American Government
Our Political Beginnings
Our Historical Beginnings White European explorers, traders,
and settlers began making their way to North America in the mid-sixteenth century Mainly French, Dutch, Spanish, Swedes, and
English The English came in largest
numbers and soon controlled the 13 colonies
Landmark English Documents
Magna Carta Meaning “Great Charter” In 1215, a group of barons forced King John
to sign it because they were weary of his military campaigns and heavy taxes
It served as protection from the absolute power of the king—Divine Right. Established that the powers of the monarch are
NOT absolute Originally contained 63 clauses
Magna Carta
Out of 63 clauses, only 3 are still relevant today1. Guaranteeing the liberties of the English
Church2. Confirming the privileges of the city of
London and other towns3. No free man shall be imprisoned,
dispossessed, outlawed, or exiled without the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land
Landmark English Documents
Petition of Right Limited the King’s power further
Could no longer imprison or punish without lawful judgment of peers
Could not impose marshal law in time of peace Could not require civilians to house troops
English Bill of Rights William and Mary of Orange
No standing army in peace time, except with consent of Congress
Parliament elections be free Fair trial; Freedom from excessive bail; No cruel and
unusual punishment
The English Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights declared: “that the pretended power of suspending
the laws, or the execution of laws, by regal authority, without consent of Parliament is illegal…
that levying money for or to the use of the Crown…without grant of Parliament…is illegal…
that it is the right of the subjects to petition the king…and that prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal…”
Basic Concepts Ordered government
Governments (states) need to have an “orderly” relationship with one another Established offices and units of govt that still exist
today: sheriff, grand jury, counties, townships, etc Limited government
Govt is NOT all-powerful. Individuals have rights that can not be taken away—natural rights
Representative government Govt should serve the will of the people People should have a voice in deciding what the
government should/should not do
Historical Movement toward Independence
Establishment of Colonies
1607 – Virginia—the first colony was founded (Jamestown)
1733 – Georgia—the last colony to form (Savannah)
By 1775, there were 13 separate colonies Each colony was established by a charter
—a written grant of authority from the king
Three Types of Colonies
Over time, three different types of colonies developed: Royal Colonies
Under direct control of the King
Proprietary Colonies Under control of a proprietor—person given a
land grant by the king
Charter Colonies Granted to the colonists directly—they were
largely self-governing
Royal Colonies King named governor, executive Bicameral
Two house system Elected by male property owners All laws had to be approved by Governor
or the Crown Examples: Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Proprietary Colonies Established people who received land
grants from the King Government was one chosen by the
owner Unicameral—these colonies used a
one house system Examples: Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland
Charter Colonies Granted by England to the colonists
themselves Almost totally self-governed
Meaning they were not subject to direct scrutiny or control of the Crown
Examples: Rhode Island, Connecticut
Royal Colonies Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
Proprietary Colonies Pennsylvania, Delaware,
Maryland Charter Colonies
Rhode Island, Connecticut
Three Types of Colonies
(1754-1763) French and Indian War
War costs $$$$... Heavy taxes were placed onto the
colonists The increase in taxes upset the
colonists But bigger issue was that they had no
“say” in deciding taxes — TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION
(1760) King George III
King George III was initially welcomed However, soon became seen as an
autocratic ruler Began to raise taxes to support British
troops in the colonies Many colonists were loyal subjects to
the crown, but felt that the King and Parliament had no right to control their local affairs
Stamp Act of 1765 This was a new set of high taxes on
paper goods Tax stamps were required for certain
business agreements, all legal documents, newspapers, and even playing cards
Although the Act was repealed by Parliament, it stirred up some friction Mob violence and boycotts flared up
Boston Massacre (1770) Boston Tea Party (1773)
1774 – Intolerable Acts A new set of strict laws passed by
Parliament to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party
1st and 2nd Continental Congress
After the Intolerable Acts, delegates from every colony (except GA) met in Philadelphia (September, 1774) They composed a Declaration
of Rights and Grievances—a statement of complaints addressed to King George III
Met again in May 1775 By this time, the Revolutionary War had begun