The Origins of Early Government in the Colonies

The Origins of Early Government in the Colonies Magna Carta, 1215 The Mayflower Compact, 1620 The Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619 Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639 English Bill of Rights, 1689

The Signing of the Magna Carta, 1215

The Magna Carta, 1215 King John, an English King constantly demanded money and men for wars from his feudal barons. The feudal barons in 1215 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, 1215 Two important aspects of the Magna Carta: 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 (rule of law)

Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619

Virginia House of Burgesses, 1619 the first elected representative government appears in Virginia. House of Burgesses imposed taxes and ran the colony It is modeled after the English Parliament was England’s lawmaking elected government.

Signing of the Mayflower Compact

Mayflower Compact, 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.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639 First written constitution in North America. It was the work of a Puritan clergyman, Thomas Hooker. It was a outline for self-government 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 Colonial governments like the House of Burgesses elected their own representatives Representatives imposed taxes, fines and managed colonial affairs Colonists believed they were Englishmen and should have a say in their government Colonists were used to running their governments on their own, the English let the colonies get used to this (salutary neglect)

English Bill of Rights, 1689 Monarchs William of Orange and Mary agree to give Parliament and people more power than monarchs under English Bill of Rights: Parliament agrees on laws not the king Parliament can raise taxes Parliament okays the raising of an army Parliament and public have free speech against the government Trial by jury Elections and debates

Colonial Government 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