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