Government in the Colonies

Early English Government

Colonial Government Limitations

By colonial times, England was in the process of developing into a constitutional monarchy

The monarch (king or queen) governed under rules established by law

English people (including colonists) had rights protected by English law.

Laws & taxes were made by Parliament (qualified voters* elected the lower house & nobles inherited seats in the upper house

*Qualified voters were Free (not slaves or indentured servants) White (English) Males Age 21 or over Property owners (approx. 50 acres of land or the

equivalent in businesses, ships, buildings, etc. ) Members of the established church

American colonists: Voted for the local colonial legislatures (but had no reps in English Parliament)

Colonial legislatures decided local taxes and voting qualifications (amount of property and required church membership varied somewhat by colony)

English Parliament also had right to veto or overrule any laws passed by colonial legislatures.

Foundations for American Democracy

Magna Carta1215

Virginia House of Burgesses 1619

Established the ideas that all men should be granted certain rights, the king had limits to his power, and not all power in the gov. was given to the king. Jury Trial

Established idea that people should have some say in the way they are governed.

Mayflower Compact 1620

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 1639

English Bill of Rights 1689

Established idea that people could form their own gov. for the good of all

1st written constitution establishing idea that people have power to create their own gov.

Reaffirmed idea people have rights and power of king has limits.

Principles Individual Rights

Limited Government

Separation of Power

People have basic rights the gov. cannot take away

Gov is not all powerful; members of gov. must follow the law

Not all of the power of gov. is given to one individual or group, the power is separated to help prevent abuses of power

Republicanism

Popular Sovereignty

Gov. is run by ELECTED representatives (‘reps’ of the public)

The people rule; the power of gov. comes from the people