American Govt Origins of American Government The Colonial

American Govt. Origins of American Government The Colonial Experience Coach Kirkwood 1

American Govt. Objectives • Explain the importance of the House of Burgesses • Discuss the importance of the Mayflower Compact. • Describe the similarities among English colonial governments • Explain why the colonists began to develop a new sense of identity as Americans Coach Kirkwood 2

American Govt. Colonists • Colony is a group of people in one place who are ruled by a government of another place • Because England was so far away, American colonist could not depend on English Parliament to govern them Coach Kirkwood 3

American Govt. The House of Burgesses • Began in 1619 in the first American settlement called Jamestown • Had 22 representatives • Had very little power • Solved few of Jamestown’s problems • This is the first legislature in America Coach Kirkwood 4

American Govt. The Mayflower Compact • Written in 1620 by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower • Compact is a agreement, or contract, among a group of people • Set up the following – Would make equal and just laws – Set up a direct democracy – Men would vote and majority would rule Coach Kirkwood 5

American Govt. English Colonial Governments • By 1733 there were 13 colonies – Each had the following • A governor – Appointed by the king or elected by the colonist • A legislature – Many modeled after England's parliament – Governor appointed those in the upper house – Colonist elected those to the lower house Coach Kirkwood 6

American Govt. A New Sense of Identity • American colonies will become self-sufficient • England will see them as a great source of wealth • This will tick off the American colonist Coach Kirkwood 7

American Govt. Discussion • What were some differences between the House of Burgesses and the Mayflower compact? Coach Kirkwood 8

American Govt. Assignment • Read pgs. 40— 42 Coach Kirkwood 9

American Govt. What You Have Learned Today • Explain the importance of the House of Burgesses • Discuss the importance of the Mayflower Compact. • Describe the similarities among English colonial governments • Explain why the colonists began to develop a new sense of identity as Americans Coach Kirkwood 10