Origins of Early Governments in the Colonies
Magna Carta, 1215
King John, an English King, constantly demanded money and men for wars from his feudal barons.
In 1215, barons forced King John to agree that he had “no right” to demand their property without their
consent. Their consent was to be agreed upon in a Grand Council. King must now get consent of the people.
Two important aspects of the Magna Carta: 1) There must be a set of laws governing how the King and his
subjects will deal with each other 2) The King is not the highest authority and he is bound by a higher law
that limits his authority.
The Magna Carta is important because 1) First written Western document acknowledging the protection of
individual rights 2) English tradition and structures served ad as an example for future English and colonial
documents.
Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619
In 1619, the first elected representative government appears in Virginia. (Remember…..Jamestown, 1607 !)
It is modeled after the English Parliament. Parliament was England’s lawmaking, elected government.
House of Burgesses imposed taxes and ran the colony. Burgesses were the Elected Representatives.
Mayflower Compact, 1620
In 1620, the Pilgrims were arriving near the New England Coast. They agree to write a contract that allows
for self-government. The Mayflower Compact promised that every adult male would vote for the Governor
and his advisors on a yearly basis. This supports the idea of majority rule.
General Court, 1629
John Winthrop was chosen governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The Charter allowed only
stockholders ($$$$) to vote. Puritans wanted to keep Non-Puritans out of government so only male church
members could vote. The colony would run smoother if more people took part in the decisions. The elected
representatives served in an assembly called the General Court. (This idea of Self-Government is starting to
sound familiar!!!)
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639
Think back…..Puritans (our or the highway), Thomas Hooker thinks government/other officials have too
much power so he high-tails it to Connecticut….
FOC is the first constitution written in North America. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was an outline
for self-government (there it is again!) for a colony. The well being of the community came before the
individual. Adult males elected a governor, assistants, and a legislative assembly to make laws for the
community
Colonists are electing their representatives to impose taxes, fines and managed colonial affairs. Colonists
say they are English and should have a say in their government. Colonists are running their governments on
their own, and…..English Rulers (way over in ENGLAND) have let the colonies get used to doing this!
In England…..
James II, is ruling by “Devine Rights”, which is the belief that the king was God’s choice to rule on earth. A
monarch has absolute power over his nation. A monarch appoints government officials who answer to him,
not to the people. A monarch passed laws without the peoples consent or input.
The Glorious Revolution, 1688
Glorious because no one died in battle and Revolution because the English overthrow the last Catholic
monarch (James II). Parliament (England’s ruling body) takes away many powers from the monarchy.
King James II is replaced by his daughter, Mary, and her husband, William. William and Mary agree to give
Parliament more power.
English Bill of Rights, 1689
Parliament and the people get more power than the monarchs William and Mary. Parliament agrees on the
laws, not the king. Parliament can raise taxes, raise an army, Parliament and the public have free speech
against the government, trial by jury, elections and debates allowed. The English Bill of Rights served as an
example for colonial bills of rights, and for the First 10 Amendments to the US Constitution….Bill of Rights.
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King appointed the
governor in his place
Governor appointed by
King and had final say on
laws
Assemblies made laws,
passed taxes, paid
governor’s salary which
made the governor listen
to the assemblies instead
of the King