The Origins of Early
Government in the
Colonies
Magna Carta, 1215
The Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619
The Mayflower Compact, 1620
General Court, 1629
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut,
1639
English Bill of Rights, 1689
The Signing of the Magna Carta,
1215
Magna Carta = Great Charter
The Magna Carta, 1215
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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.
The Magna Carta
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Two important
aspects of the
Magna Carta:
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There must be a set
of laws governing
how the King and his
subjects will deal
with each other.
The King is not the
highest authority and
that he is bound by a
higher law that limits
his authority.
M=C
Monarch = Citizens
The Importance of the Magna Carta
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First written
Western document
acknowledging the
protection of
individual rights.
English tradition
and structures
served as an
example for future
English and
colonial documents.
Virginia House of Burgesses,
1619
Virginia House of Burgesses
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It is modeled after the
English Parliament.
English Parliament was
England’s lawmaking
elected government.
1619 the first elected
representative
government appears in
Virginia. Remember…..
Jamestown, 1607 !
House of Burgesses
imposed taxes and ran
the colony

Burgesses were the Elected
Representatives !
Signing of the Mayflower
Compact, 1620
Mayflower Compact
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1620, Pilgrims arriving near the New
England Coast 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.
It supports the idea of majority rule.
General Court, 1629
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John Winthrop chosen governor
of Massachusetts Bay Colony.
Charter allowed only
Stockholders ($$$$) to vote.
Puritans wanted to keep NonPuritans out of government, so
only male Church Members could
vote.
Colony would run smoother if
more people took part in
decisions.
The elected representative
served in an assembly called the
General Court !
(Self-government,
sound familiar?!)
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut,
1639
Where?
Connecticut
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Who Established?
Thomas Hooker
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What Religion?
Puritans
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Why Start a new Colony?
Thought government and others officials had too much power
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Fundamental Orders of
Connecticut, 1639
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First written constitution
in North America. It was
the work of a Puritan
clergyman, Thomas
Hooker.
It was a outline for selfgovernment of the
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.
Colonial Government
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Colonial governments like the House of
Burgesses elect their own representatives
Representatives impose taxes, fines and
managed colonial affairs
Colonists believe they are Englishmen and
should have a say in their government
Colonists are used to running their
governments on their own, the English
have let the colonies get used to this
Meanwhile, Back in England………
James II
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“Divine Rights” 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 the
people
A monarch passed laws
without the peoples
consent or input
The Glorious Revolution, 1688
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Glorious because no one
died in battle and
Revolution because the
English overthrow the last
Catholic monarch (James
II)
Parliament takes away
many powers from the
monarchy
Monarchs William of
Orange and Mary
(Daughter of James II)
agree to give Parliament
more power
English Bill of Rights, 1689
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William and Mary gain ‘the
throne’ and sign ….
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The English Bill of Rights
served as an example for
colonial bills of rights, as
well as the first ten
amendments of the U.S.
Constitution, which
became known as the Bill
of Rights.
English Bill of Rights, 1689
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Monarchs William of Orange and Mary agree to
give Parliament and the people more power than
the monarchs:
Parliament agrees on laws not the king
 Raise taxes
 Parliament okays the raising of an army
 Parliament and public have free speech against the
government
 Trial by jury
 Elections and debates
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Colonial Government
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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