Chapter 2-Roots of American Democracy

Influences from English Government

Influenced by English government, settlers brought history of limited government

English Traditions 1215 Magna Charta-

placed limits on kings power, right to jury trial, equality under law

Advisors to king eventually became Parliament (a representative, lawmaking body)

1689 English Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights

1) Parliament supreme power2) Monarch had to summon Parliament

regularly3) Parliament had power over money4) Monarch could not interfere with

Parliament5) Guaranteed trial by jury 6) Principle of habeas corpus- person

could not be held in jail unless charged with specific crime

Other English Traditions

Common Law and Precedent No written laws in early England Custom had force of law System based on precedent and custom- common

law

Courts decisions became basis of laws Judges decided cases, used precedent (ruling from an

earlier case that was similar) to make consistent ruling

Other English Traditions Equity Law- system of rules to

resolve disputes on fairness Statutory Law- based on laws

made by legislative bodies

Bringing English Heritage to America

Representative Government 1600’s, 1700’s English

settlers bring political traditions to colonies

Charters- gave colonists right to est. governments, guaranteed colonists rights of Englishmen

1619 House of Burgesses 1st representative assembly in America

1620- Mayflower Compact set up government with majority rule, established direct democracy in America

Bringing English Heritage to America

Town Meetings• Tradition of direct democracy• Citizens held meeting to discuss problems

and issues Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• Americas first written constitution• Called fro an assembly of elected leaders to

make laws, called for the election of judges and governor

Bringing English Heritage to America

Philosophical Influences Locke’s idea of natural rights The idea of the social contract

• Agreement among the people of a society to give up some of their freedom in exchange to have their natural rights protected by a government

Separation of Powers • government was divided into three branches so one

group or person could not have too much power Ideas of the Enlightenment

• Human reason and universal laws (i.e. natural rights) applied to human government and society

Birth of a Democratic NationColonial Resistance to

Rebellion Separated from Great Britain

by an ocean, American developed tradition of self government

By 1733 all 13 colonies had own government Governor, legislature

Colonies began to make more of their own decisions w/o help from Britain

Mid 1750’s British policies change, took a more active role in lives of American colonists

Birth of a Democratic Nation

• After French & Indian War, Britain places taxes on colonies to pay for war

• Stamp Act• “No taxation without

representation!”• Colonies boycotted, led to beginning

of end to British rule• Declaratory Act (1766) British

could make all decisions for colonies• Townshend Acts (1767) Glass, tea,

lead, paper• Colonists boycott• Tea Act of 1773 led to Boston Tea

Party• 1773 Coercive or Intolerable

Acts- restricted legal rights, allowed British soldiers to search homes

Birth of a Democratic Nation

Movement Toward Independence Colonists band together against

Intolerable Acts First Continental Congress

• 1774, 12 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia

• establish political body to represent American interests and challenge British control

Sent a document to King George III demanding rights of colonists be restored, extend boycott

Birth of a Democratic Nation King George responded

with force War begins in Mass. Colonists question British

loyalty People talk about

independence 1775 Second

Continental Congress Common Sense by

Thomas Paine published, provided rationale for independence

January 1776 called for complete independence

Birth of a Democratic Nation

Congress appoints committee to write a document to announce the colonists independence

Thomas Jefferson main writer Declaration of Independence –

A. rights of individualsB. purpose of gov’t to protect people’s rightsC. Gov’t based on people’s consentD. People entitled to overthrow gov’tE. Abuses of King George III

July 4, 1776 approved by Continental Congress

1782 Americans defeat British

Inspiration for Ideas of Declaration of Independence

Inspired by Enlightenment ideas, questioned traditional roles of government and society

John Locke1. People had natural rights-

life, liberty, property2. Gov’t has obligation to

people3. Best government is limited4. Idea of popular

sovereignty- freely elected government