Origins of American Government

The Roots of American DemocracyChapter 2Section 1

Main IdeaAmerican democracy was shaped by our English political heritage, colonial experiments in self-government, and a range of intellectual influences.

The Roots of American Democracy

Reading Focus• Which American political ideas derived from an English political heritage?• How did colonial governments give English colonists experience in self-

rule?• What intellectual influences shaped the development of American

political philosophy?

Colonial government would never be an exact copy of the British system. Colonial leaders adapted old ideas, based on English traditions, to a new environment.

English Political Heritage

Limited Government• Began in 1215 when King John

signed Magna Carta• Moved from rule of man to rule of

law• Outlined individual rights which

king could not violate• Included taxation and trial

provisions

Representative Government• Tradition began in 11th century.• Evolved into bicameral, or two-

chamber, legislature• Nobles comprised Upper House.• Local representatives participated

in House of Commons.

English Political Heritage {continued}

Individual Rights • 1628: King Charles required to sign Petition of Right• Required monarchs to obtain Parliamentary approval before levying new

taxes, also could not unlawfully imprison people or establish military rule during times of peace

• Extended conflict between Charles and Parliament erupted into civil war in 1642.

• Charles defeated, beheaded• 1685: renewed conflicts and rebellion between the Crown and Parliament• 1689: William and Mary chosen to rule, but had to govern according to

statutes of Parliament• 1689: English Bill of Rights passed • Free speech and protection from cruel and unusual punishment guaranteed• Glorious Revolution established constitutional monarchy.

English colonists began to settle parts of North America in the early 1600s, bringing English political theories and methods of governance.

The English Colonies

Types of English Colonies• Three types established • Proprietary, based on land grant

to individual or group• Royal colonies, directly controlled

by king through appointed governor• Charter colonies, operated under

charters agreed to by colony and king; had most independence from the Crown

Experiments in Early Governance• Virginia was the first colony, founded

in 1607• Jamestown’s House of Burgesses,

1619• Mayflower Compact, 1620• Fundamental Orders of

Connecticut, 1639• Massachusetts Body of Liberties, 1641• Each charter guaranteed colonists the

“rights of Englishmen.”• PA granted to William Penn, 1681• Georgia final colony, 1733

Intellectual Influences• In addition to English traditions, ideas were key to transforming loyal

English colonists first into revolutionaries and then into founders of a new nation.

Republicanism• Idea of representative government going back to Greece and Rome• Highly values citizen participation, public good, civic virtue• Influences included Aristotle, Machiavelli, de Montesquieu, others

Judeo-Christian Influences• Religious heritage common to both Christianity and Judaism• Law and individual rights of divine origin

Intellectual Influences

Enlightenment Thinkers • Enlightenment—Intellectual movement in 18th century Europe• Classical liberal concerns addressed in Enlightenment• Framers of U.S. Constitution believed in people’s natural rights to life,

liberty, and property.• Social contract—People form a government to protect their rights• Philosophers John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau important

contributors• Economic and civil liberties important as well• Other influences included Adam Smith, Voltaire, William Blackstone.

VocabularyBicameral two-chamber

Magna Carta an English document signed by King John in 1215 that instituted that “rule of law” and protected certain individual rights

Petition of Right an English document signed by King Charles in 1628 that required monarchs to obtain Parliament’s approval before levying new taxes and said that monarchs could not unlawfully imprison people, force citizens to house soldiers, or establish military rule during times of peace

English Bill of Rights an English document passed by Parliament in 1689 that limited monarchs’ power to enact laws, raise taxes, or keep an army without Parliament’s consent; guaranteed Parliament the privilege of free speech; and gave all people protection from cruel and unusual punishment

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut a 1639 set of laws that limited the power of the government and gave all free men the right to choose the people to serve as judges

Proprietary Colony a colony based on a grant of land by the English monarch to a proprietor

Royal Colonies colonies directly controlled by the king through an appointed governor

Charter Colonies colonies operated under charters agreed to by the colony and the king