Chapter 4 Lesson 2 Colonial Government Day 1 DO NOW: • What are some modern ideas about government in America? • Example : People should vote for their leaders Human Graph • England had a King. That means that the English government was not very modern/ progressive for the time. Human Graph • FALSE • England was a “Parliamentary Democracy” – That is, they had a King, but a Parliament which had “checks” on the King’s power. Human Graph • Because of their King, English people had very few rights. Human Graph • FALSE • English citizens benefitted from a progressive rights based system. They enjoyed: – Trial by Jury – Property Rights – Representative Government (elected parliamentary officials) Questions we will focus on: • What are American ideas about government? • Where did these ideas come from? It Matters Because • Using ideas from England and their own experiences, American colonists began developing their beliefs about the proper form and role of government. English Principles of Government • Ideas about government had developed over hundreds of years – TWO MAJOR IDEAS –1. PROTECTED RIGHTS –2. REPRESENTATIVE LEGISALATURES –*These two ideas influenced the development of American ideas about government Protected Rights • Colonists believed that government must respect civil liberties/rights – This was a British Idea that began with the signing of the Magna Carta, a British document reforming the King and his relationship to people’s rights – Signed in 1215 – Gave people protection against unjust treatment or punishment Magna Carta Video Representative Government • Representative (Person who represents) • English had tradition of electing leaders to represent them to “Parliament” – Parliament is like our Congress, a legislature – A legislature is a body of government that writes laws. Parliament • Two houses of Parliament – House of Lords • Eldest sons of England’s aristocracy (the upper, ruling class) – House of Commons • Commoners, mostly merchants and property owners elected by other property owners • *This body that wrote laws influenced the US Congress Representative Government • In mid 1600s- power struggle between King James II and Parliament – This power struggle was a dispute about the power of parliament vs the king. – It was also about religion. Parliament feared King James would bring bath Catholicism as England’s religion. • 1688- Parliament removed King James II from power and crowned William of Orange and Mary to rule. – William and Mary Video (begin at 0:56) Representative Government • William and Mary promised to govern England according to the laws passed by Parliament. • Called this transfer of power “The Glorious Revolution” • From this time on, no ruler would have more power than the Parliament. Glorious Revolution Video The English Bill of Rights • 1689- English Bill of Rights passed – Stated that the ruler could not suspend Parliament’s laws, impose taxes, or raise an army without Parliament’s consent. – Members of Parliament had to be freely elected. – Citizens of England had the right to a fair trial by jury – Also banned cruel and unusual punishment Government in America • 13 Colonies began as either charter or proprietary colonies – Charter colonies were based on a charter (a grant of rights by the King to a company) • Example: Massachusetts, Virginia – Proprietary colonies were the property of an owner or group of owners. • Example: Pennsylvania Royal Colonies • Many colonies later became a Royal colony (under control of Britain) – VA became royal in 1624 • In a royal colony: – Parliament appoints a governor and council » King/ Parliament controlled their actions – Colonists selected an assembly » Often argued with governor and council » Only white men with property could vote for members of assembly Local Government in the Colonies • Over time townspeople began discussing local issues at town meetings. • These developed into local governments with landowners holding the right to vote and pass laws • Developed strong belief in their right to self govern. • Helped set the stage for American revolution Closure Day 1 • How did the Magna Carta influence government in the colonies? • Give an example of representative government in Britain and in America. • What is a legislature? • What is the British legislature called? – American legislature called____________. 4.2 Colonial Government Day 2 Day 2 Opener • Have you ever had something taken away? – Video games – Participation on a team – Hanging out with a friend? – Write a summary of what it was and how you felt when it was taken away. I see I think I wonder Discussion• What is the purpose of a colony? • What do you think Britain wanted to get out of having the colonies in the Americas? What Britain wanted from Colonies English Economic Policies • Mercantilism -A country builds wealth and power by building its supplies of gold and silver. -To achieve this goal, a country must export, or sell to other countries, more than it imports, or buys from other countries. -A country gets rich by building colonies to supply raw materials to sell Mercantilism Video Mercantilist Policy • England views the colonies and colonists as making money for England – England did not have a lot of respect for colonists – They thought of them as wild/ frontiersman, not really culturally English • Yet, Colonists thought of themselves as part of English society and as entitled to the same rights and representation as others living in England Question to focus on: • How did the colonists react to England’s economic policies? How the Colonists thought of themselves • The Colonists were proud to be English. As Englishmen, they viewed themselves as supporters of liberal English government: – Rights based – Representative government – VERY INDEPENDENT – BELIEVED IN INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS English Economic Policies • England looked to America for raw materials such as tobacco, rice, indigo, wheat, lumber, fur, leather, fish, and whale products. • They also wanted colonists to buy English manufactured goods such as tools, clothing, and furniture. English Economic Policies • England began passing a series of laws called the Navigation Acts in the 1650s. – The laws forced colonists to sell their raw materials to England even if they could get a better price elsewhere. Navigation Acts • All trade goods had to be carried on ships built in England or the Colonies. • The crews of these ships had to be English as well. • Goods bought by the colonies from other countries in Europe had to go to England first and be taxed. • Video Colonial Resistance • At first, they accepted the Navigation Acts • Later, came to resent the acts • Colonists wanted to manufacture their own goods rather than buy English goods. • Also wanted to sell to nations other than England • Colonists smuggled goods to avoid taxes • Controls on trade would later harm their relationship. Closure: Discussion • Look back to your “opener” where you wrote about something you had being taken away. • How do you think this relates to Colonists and the Navigation Acts? • How did the Navigation Acts restrict the freedom of the colonists? • How did that make them feel? • Create a tweet and complete left sides.