overview defined: the institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies. ...
TRANSCRIPT
Our Political Beginnings
Overview
Defined: The institution through which a
society makes and enforces its public policies. It is made up of those people who exercise its
powers, all those who have authority to control over people
What is a Government?
Basic Concepts of Government
Earliest French settlers bring knowledge of established political system
Modeled from English system of government
Many of these ideas come from outside of England, however
1. Ordered Government
2. Limited Government
3. Representative Government
Magna Carta
Group of barons force King John to sign the
“Great Charter” in 1215 This group sought protection from the king’s
heavy handed and arbitrary acts Included fundamental rights:
- Trial by jury- Due process of the law (protection against arbitrary taking of life, liberty, or property
Magna Carta (cont.)
What does this landmark event state about the power of the monarchy?
Critical Thinking
The Petition of Right
1628 – King Charles asks Parliament for tax raises Parliament refuses until Petition of Right is signed
by the king
The Petition of Right
This document limited the power of the king in
several ways: Demanded the king no longer imprison or
punish any person without due process King would not impose martial law in peace
time or require homeowners to shelter the king’s troops without consent
No man should be “compelled to make or yield any gift, loan, benevolence, tax, or such a charge without common consent by act of parliament.”
Petition of Right (cont.)
The English Colonies
Often described as “13 schools of government”
Established separately over 125 years
First colony settled at Jamestown, VA in 1607
Charters – Each colony established with this, a written grand of authority from the king
What ideas influenced the first colonial
governments? Hebrews-
(Ten Commandments) – laws based on morals Greeks-
(direct democracy) – everyone participated directly (smaller society)
Romans- (Classical republic) – elect people to represent you.
People practice “civic virtue”. Promotion of the common good. Moral education.
The English Colonies
The English Bill of Rights
Parliament offers crown to William and Mary of Orange after years of revolt and turmoil
This event is known as the Glorious Revolution
Forced to sign document preventing the abuse of their power
What it accomplished:
Prohibited a standing army in peacetime, except with Parliamentary consent
Required all Parliamentary elections be free Included the right to a fair trial by all citizens Subjects were to be free of excessive Included freedom from “cruel or unusual
punishment”
The English Bill of Rights