Civics Chapter 2 Section 1 Notes (Our English
Heritage)
Influences from England’s Early Government
-Many rights citizens enjoy today can be traced back to the
political and legal traditions of England.
-England was ruled by a monarch before the first English
people arrived in America. Noble families also had power
in England.
The Magna Carta
-King John treated the nobles harshly. They rebelled and
forced to sign an agreement called the Magna Carta.
-Latin for “Great Charter”
- protected nobles’ privileges and granted certain rights to
all landowners.
- no one would be above the law!
Parliament
-Started out as a group of nobles who advised the king.
-Grew and by the late 1300’s became a law making body.
-In 1600s Parliament removed King James II from the
throne because of a power struggle and invited his daughter
and her husband to rule instead.
-After this no ruler would have more power then
Parliament. Brought about English Bill of Rights
-Monarch could not suspend Parliament’s laws, create
special taxes, or raise an army without the consent of
Parliament. Also said that members of Parliament would
be elected freely, every citizen would have the right to a
fair trial by jury, and cruel and unusual punishment
would be banned.
Common Law
-In early days Britain had no written law.
-People developed rules to live by and court systems began
to develop.
-When asked to decide a case the judges would look for
precedent that was similar. The judge would then make a
consistent ruling.
-Still exists today and many of our own laws about
property, contracts and personal injury are based on
this.
Bringing the English Heritage to America
-In 1600’s-1700’s England established many colonies in
America.
Virginia House of Burgesses
-1st permanent English settlement in North America was
at Jamestown in 1607(located in present day Virginia)
-Founded by the Virginia Company with a charter from
king James.
-In 1619 colonists chose two men from each county to meet
with the governor and his council.
-These 22 men formed the Virginia House of Burgesses.
-First representative assembly in colonies. Didn’t have
much power but marked beginning of self government
in America.
The Mayflower Compact
-In 1620 a new group of colonist arrived known as the
Pilgrims. Built a settlement called Plymouth in present
day Massachusetts.
-Even while still aboard Mayflower the pilgrims knew that
they would need rules so they drew up the Mayflower
Compact.
-“Would make just and equal laws for the general good of
the colony.”
-Set up a direct democracy in which all men would vote.
Early Colonial Governments
-By 1773 13 English colonies stretched from
Massachusetts to Georgia.
-Each set up its own government following the examples
of the House of Burgesses and the Mayflower Compact.
-Each colony had a governor and a legislature with
representatives elected by free adult males.
-As time passed colonial governments became more
powerful while Britain was busy with matters at home.
-Colonists grew accustomed to making own decisions and
built a thriving economy and felt comfortable solving
problems without the help of Britain.