Chapter 2. Section 1 Where did our Government come from? The beginnings of American Government can be found when explorers, traders, and settlers first.

Origins of American Government

Chapter 2

Our Political BeginningsChapter2Section 1

Where did our Government come from?The beginnings of American Government can

be found when explorers, traders, and settlers first made their way to North America in the mid-sixteenth century.

The earliest English settlers brought with them knowledge of a tradition of ordered, limited, and representative government.

Basic Concepts of GovernmentOrdered Government

The English colonists saw the need for an orderly regulation of their relationships with one another – GOVERNMENT!

Limited GovernmentColonists brought the idea that gov’t is restricted in

what it may do.**Individuals have certain rights that government

cannot take away.**Representative Government

Gov’t should serve the will of the people.“Government of, by, and for the people”

Landmark English Documents The ideas of ordered, limited, and representative gov’t can be traced to several

landmark (highly significant) documents. The Magna Carta

Signed in 1215 by King John; “The Great Charter”; Limited King’s powers Guaranteed Trial by Jury and Due Process of Law (protection against

the arbitrary taking of life, liberty, or property). The Petition of Right

1628 by Charles I; Limited the king’s power. King could not imprison or punish any person w/o due process; Stated

the king could not impose martial law in times of peace, or require homeowners to shelter the king’s troops w/o consent.

Stated that even a monarch must obey the law of the land. The English Bill of Rights

1689; Parliament offered the crown to William and Mary; Glorious Revolution; W&M had to agree to provisions.

Prohibited standing army in peacetime All parliamentary elections to be free. Guaranteed right to a fair trial; freedom from excessive bail and cruel

and unusual punishment.

The Thirteen Colonies“13 schools of government” Americans first began to

learn the difficult art of government.Each colony was born out of a particular set of

circumstances:Virginia = commercial venture; early colonist were

employees of the Virginia Co of LondonMassachusetts = Settled by people in search of greater

personal and religious freedom.Georgia = King George granted the land to 21 trustees who

governed the colony.Each established on a charter Written grant of

authority from the king.Granted land and some governing rights, the Crown

retained some power.Three types of colonies: Royal, Proprietary, and Charter.

Royal ColoniesSubject to direct control of the Crown.NH, MA, NY, NJ, VA, NC, SC, & GAPattern of government set in place for the royal colonies.King named a governor to serve as colony’s chief

executive.A council, also named by king, was an advisory board for

the royal governor.Governor’s council later became both the upper house of

the legislature and the colony’s high court.The lower house of a bicameral (two-house) legislature

was elected by property owners.Governor appointed judges.Laws passed by legislature had to be approved by

governor and the Crown.

Proprietary ColoniesBy 1775 there were three: MD, PA, DEOrganized by a proprietor, a person to whom the king had

made a grant of land.By charter, the land could be settled and governed as much as

the proprietor chose.1632 Maryland given to Lord Baltimore Intended as a

haven for Catholics.1681 Pennsylvania granted to William Penn Also acquired

Delaware in 1682.Gov’t similar to Royal Colonies; Governor was appointed by

Proprietor. In MD and DE the legislature was bicameral.PA had a unicameral legislature. Consisted of only one house.

Charter ColoniesMassachusetts Bay Colony was first in 1629.

Charter was revoked and became a Royal Colony in 1691.CT and RI were charter colonies founded by religious

dissidents (rebels) from MA.Governors of CT and RI were elected each year by white,

male property owners in the colony.King’s approval was required before governor could take

office, but it was not often asked.Bicameral Legislature

Laws were not subject to the governor’s veto, nor was the Crown’s approval needed.

Judges were appointed by Legislature; appeals could be taken to the king.

CT and RI were liberal for their time.Some believe that if Britain had allowed others colonies

these freedoms that the Revolution may not have happened!