Our Political Beginnings Basic Concepts of Colonial Government

Bell Ringer Qs (p. 28 -32) Read the passage from the textbook (pages 28 -30) and answer the following questions: • 1) What are three important concepts of government in the English colonies? • 2) How does the concept of representative government shape what a government does? • 3) What are three landmark English documents that shaped government in the colonies? • 4) The English Bill of Rights gave much more power to what political group?

Bellringer – 9 -3 -14 • Give an example of at least one of the “big ideas” that we derive from each of the philosophers we discussed in yesterday’s notes: • Hobbes – • Locke – • Rousseau – • Montesquieu -

Learning Target • Students will identify the 3 basic concepts of the English colonial government. • Students will analyze the 3 landmark documents that shaped English colonial government.

Origins of US Government • The earliest settlers in the Americas brought with them their own government traditions. • The English settlers had an understanding of laws, customs, practices, and institutions they used to establish government in the colonies. • 3 major ideas brought over from England • 1) Ordered Government • 2) Limited Government • 3) Representative Government

Ordered Government • Colonists knew they needed order and regulation of their relationship with one another. • Created small governments based on the local customs they knew back in England. • Many of these institutions still exist today. • Sheriff, coroner, assessor, justice of the peace, grand jury, counties, townships • In order to survive the colonists knew order was most important. (State of Nature = Bad Times)

Limited Government • The colonists brought with them the idea that government is not “all powerful. ” • Each individual has certain rights the government cannot take away. • Even within the monarchy of England the British had a long history of protecting individual rights.

Representative Government • English colonists also brought with them the idea of a representative government. • Belief the government should serve the “will of the people” had existed in England for centuries. • Citizens should get to choose who serves them and makes decisions in a government. (English Parliamentary System) • Even under King George, the British Parliament was highly influential in government.

Bellringer – 9 -4 -14 • Describe in your own words the three major ideas English settlers brought over from England to the colonies.

3 Important English Documents • The ideas of an ordered, limited, and representative government all came from 3 landmark English documents. • 1) The Magna Carta – 1215 King John was forced to sign this document due to his heavy taxes and military decisions. • King’s Power was not absolute, but limited.

3 Important English Documents continued • 2) The Petition of Right – 1628 Parliament forced King Charles to sign this document. • King must follow the law of the land – Parliaments decisions • 3) The Bill of Rights – 1688 After William and Mary took the throne in the “Glorious Revolution” Parliament asked them to sign the Bill of Rights. • List of provisions, protections and rights that the monarch had to agree too.

Magna Carta Activity Part 1 • You and your partner will receive: Activity Worksheet, 1 Magna Carta Provision, 1 Annotation Slip, and 1 • There are 6 different provisions • Step 1 - With your partner you will read one provision from the Magna Carta and brainstorm what it means. Write your thoughts in the “Brainstorm” Box. • Step 2 – With your partner read the Magna Carta Annotation Slip to better understand your provision. You will then revise what you think your provision means, and record your changes in the “Better Understanding” Box. • Step 3 – With your partner read, discuss, and answer the two Critical Thinking Questions.

Magna Carta Activity Part 2 • Background: The Magna Carta was a landmark document that laid the foundations for our most common rights and liberties. The problem: many English people were illiterate and could not understand what the Magna Carta meant. • Step 4 – Create a flyer that displays the meaning of your provision both visually and in simple, easy to understand words. Use bright colors and a bold design so people can understand their rights quickly. • Step 5 – Present your poster and explain your provision to class.

Exit Slip • At the time the Magna Carta was signed England had an absolute Monarch, King John. Today, the Magna Carta is described as the “first step towards democracy” in Great Britain. • Briefly explain what you think this statement means.