[ 2.1 ] Origins of American Political Ideals

[ 2.1 ] Origins of American Political Ideals

Origins of American Constitutional Government The English settlers brought ideas about government with them to North America. Analyze Charts How is representative government practiced in the United States today?

Influential Documents and Ideas • The Magna Carta • Trial by jury • Due process of law • Protections against absolute power • The Petition of Right • Further limited the monarch’s power • Prevented marital law and quartering • Prevent arbitrary, enforced taxation without consent of parliament • The English Bill of Rights • Gave Parliament more power • Right to petition the monarch • Prevented arbitrary suspension of law

King John reluctantly signed the Magna Carta, thereby limiting his own power. Centuries later, many ideas from the Magna Carta influenced America’s founding documents.

Three Types of Colonies Despite the varying government systems of the colonies, they were all influenced by their English roots. Analyze Maps How were the legislatures of the proprietary colonies structured?

Quiz: Origins of American Constitutional Government The English colonists brought with them knowledge of political systems that influenced constitutional government in North America. Which one of these basic notions held that the people should have a voice in determining what their government can and cannot do? A. colonial government B. limited government C. ordered government D. representative government

Quiz: Influential Documents and Ideas Which event from English history between 1628 and 1690 most directly influenced later American political ideas and traditions? A. Parliament acted to limit the power of the monarch and guarantee certain rights to the people. B. King John waged many wars and imposed heavy taxes on the English people. C. Charles I called Parliament into session to request more money in taxes. D. Parliament offered the crown to William and Mary of Orange after searching for a suitable ruler.

[ 2.2 ] Independence

British Colonial Policies “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” Benjamin Franklin is said to have spoken these words on July 4, 1776, as he and the other members of the Second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Those who heard him may have chuckled, but they also may have felt a shiver, for Franklin’s humor carried a deadly serious message. In this section, you will follow the events that led to the momentous decision to break with Great Britain. You will also consider the new State governments that were established with the coming of independence.

British Colonial Policies British colonial rule before 1760 was not burdensome. The British flag flew over peaceful harbors, like this one in Newport, Rhode Island, with no protests from the colonists.

British Colonial Policies

The Second Continental Congress The Second Continental Congress met just weeks after the battles of Lexington and Concord. One of their first tasks was to appoint George Washington as commander in chief of the new army.

The Second Continental Congress

The Declaration of Independence • Slightly more than a year after the Revolution began, Richard Henry Lee of Virginia proposed to the Congress: • Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. • —Resolution of June 7, 1776

The Declaration of Independence Congressional delegates thought the move for independence should be unanimous, so they delayed the final vote until 12 colonial delegations favored it. New York abstained.

The First State Constitutions • Drafting State Constitutions • Popular sovereignty • Limited government • Civil rights and liberties • Separation of powers • Checks and balances

The First State Constitutions

Quiz: British Colonial Policies Which of the following helped lead to growing self-government in the colonies? A. The colonists no longer wished to be British citizens. B. The colonists depended on Great Britain for their defense. C. England was far away and travel and communication were slow. D. England had recently defeated France in the French and Indian War.

Quiz: The First State Constitutions Which feature of State constitutions was accomplished by creating three branches of government, each with its own powers? A. popular sovereignty B. limited government C. checks and balances D. separation of powers

[ 2.1 ] Origins of American Political Ideals