Constitution
Lesson 1
Origins of Am. Govt.
e pluribus unum “from the many, one” - motto on U.S. seal
Political Beginnings
- U.S. govt. began before 1776 -- trappers, explorers,
settlers in 1500’s.
A. Basic Concepts of Democracy
- settlers brought together many different
ideas for a political system.
1. Ordered Govt.
- regulate relationships w/ one another
- local govts. (sherriff, coroner, jury, counties, etc.)
2. Limited Govt.
- govt. is not “all powerful”
- Magna Carta - 1215 in Eng. – King is not All Powerful
- individuals have guaranteed rights
3. Representative Govt.
- govt. serves the will of the people
B. Landmark English Documents
1. Magna Carta
- barons forced King John to sign it – they thought
he was abusing his power.
- gave citizens rights
A) trial by jury
C) due process
B) no arbitrary executions
D) no seizure of property
- power of monarchy is not absolute
2. Petition of Right
- King cannot imprison critics or use the military to rule
citizens
- 1628 - Charles I did not respect the Magna Carta
- He wanted more tax $$ so parliament told him no
unless he signed the petition -- 1628.
3. Bill of Rights
- William and Mary had to sign to take the throne in 1688.
- Gave Eng. citizens guaranteed rights
- no cruel and unusual punishment
- right to a speedy trial
- no excessive bail
- inspired the U.S. to add it to their constitution.
C. Government in the Colonies
- the 13 colonies were established separately over 125 years.
- Virginia in 1607 Æ Georgia in 1733
- charter – written grant to colonize from the King.
Bicameral
1. Royal Colonies
- controlled by the king.
- king named a governor
- king named advisors (upper house)
- people elected a council (lower house)
- governor & king had to approve laws
- colonists were upset
(VA, NH, MA, NY, NJ, NC, SC, GA)
2. Proprietary Colonies
- king gives person (proprietor) land
- proprietor picks governor (self)
(MD, DE, PA)
- Pennsylvania had unicameral legislature
3. Charter Colonies
- charter belongs to colonists themselves
- self governing
- 2 house legislature
- people felt no loyalty to the king
** These colonies were running so independently that
no changes were necessary after the revolution.
(RI, CT)