Bellringer

Chapter 2: Roots of American Democracy Section 1: Our English Heritage

I. Influences from England’s Early GovernmentA. The English brought with them a history of limited and representative government. England was ruled by a monarch - a king or queen, but nobles held much power.

B. The nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. This document upheld rights of landowners including equal treatment under the law and trial by one’s peers. It limited the power of the king or queen.

C. Nobles and church officials who advised Henry III developed into a legislature — a lawmaking body—known as Parliament. In a power struggle, Parliament removed King James II from the throne. This peaceful transfer of power was the Glorious Revolution. From then on, no ruler would have more power than the legislature.

D. Parliament drew up the English Bill of Rights. It required the monarch to getParliament’s consent to impose taxes, raise an army, or create special courts. It guaranteed free elections, free speech, a fair jury, and no cruel and unusual punishments.

E. In its early days, England had no written laws. People developed rules to live by which came to have the force of law. Judges made rulings consistent with precedents, or rulings in earlier cases that were similar. The system of law based on precedent and custom is known as common law. Our laws are based on English common law.

II. Bringing the English Heritage to America A. A colony is a group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent countryelsewhere. English colonists in America remained loyal subjects of England. Theyaccepted common law and expected the same rights they enjoyed in England.

B. A charter is a written document granting land and the authority to set up colonial governments. The Virginia Company’s charter promised the colonists of Jamestown the same liberties as in England.

C. The colonists chose representatives called burgesses to meet with the governor. These representatives formed the House of Burgesses, the first legislature in the colonies. It marked the beginning of self-government in the colonies.

D. Before arriving in Plymouth, the Pilgrims drew up the Mayflower Compact, a written plan that set up a direct democracy in the colony. A compact is an agreement, or contract, among a group of people. All men would vote. The majority would rule.

III. Early Colonial Governments A. Later English colonies along the east coast followed the examples of the Mayflower Compact and the House of Burgesses. Each colony had a governor and elected legislature, often modeled after Parliament.

B. The colonial governments took on more power over time, as the king and Parliament were preoccupied at home. The colonists grew used to making their own decisions.