So..Let look at our really Big

question What are the philosophica

l and historical

foundation of the

American Governmental system?

What have we learned so far that can help answer the

question?Locke gave us the natural right

philosophy

Jefferson built on Locke when writing the declaration of

independenceWe in the US established our

country and entered into a social contract (Mayflower Compact)

Classical societies taught us about civic virtue & the

common goodNow lets look at the

role of our British past and colonial

experience …

Madison taught us that common good and

natural rights can work together

Lets examine how our British past influenced the founding fathers in developing our government. Upon arrival in America, the

English colonist brought with them

ideas about government

They believed government should

be:Ordered Limited& Representative

Ordered Governme

nt

Local governments to regulate the relationship among people and best meet the needs of society.

How is the concept of ordered government found in our system?

When classifying our government we call it a

federal government

What are the roots of limited Government?People have certain

rights which cannot be taken away…

This idea first emerged in 12 15 with the

signing of the Magna Carta English Barons force

King John to sign the Magna Carta which

limits the power of the monarchy by protecting

.. LIFE LIBERTY PROPERTY

BY…Establishing:Trial by juryDue process of the law

False imprisonment/ evidence required

These right only apply to Lords & Barons

In 1688 another important development in limiting the

power of government took place in England

THE PETITION OF RIGHT

King Charles need parliament support for new tax to pay more

for wars.(parliament doesn’t have to approve but he needs their support)

Parliament give the tax OK if…

King Charles agrees to the following limits on power..

Cannot imprison political critics (of any class) without a trial.

Cannot declare martial law during

peace time.

Cannot require people to shelter troops without

homeowners consent

No tax or government loan with common

consent of parliament

In 1688 England found themselves without a King or

Queen.

Parliament offered the throne to William & Mary

Under the following conditions which further limited the power of the monarchy.

No standing army during peacetime without

Parliament consent.

Require free parliamentary

elections

To levy a tax with parliament consent is

illegal & the king must follow the laws.

For the king to suspend a law

without parliament consent is illegal.Guaranteed :

Speedy trialFreedom from excessive bail

Freedom from cruel and unusual

punishment

The third idea about government the colonist brought with them from their

British past was

GOVERNMENT SHOULD REPRESENT THE PEOPLE

I believe Mr. Lincoln said it best

“Government of the people, by the people, for the people”

How can we find this in our government today.

The influence of the Colonial period on our current governmental system

What is the purpose of a colony?

Make $$$

British parliament took little interest in the American colonies as long as they

made $.It took 2 months for info to reach America.

The colonial government had the power to tax and approve spending in the

colonies

Colonial legislatures often refused to

approve the salary of colonial governors if they didn’t do as the legislature wanted,

So the King or Parliament appointed colonial governors (central

government) Citizens of the colonies

elected local law making legislatures

Creating a federal governmental

system

So basically the federal system in the colonies looked like this..

London controlled

Defense, trade & foreign affairs.

Local governments controlled most everything else

All was good until the French & Indian War

British provide defense of the colonies

Now they want the colonies to pay for

the war

And furthermore they prohibit colonist to go

in the newly won territory.

Another defense issue

The proclamation of 1763 Protection from the Indians

So British Parliament

Imposed taxes on the American colonist

You know the ones..

The Stamp ActThe Townshend ActsSugar Act

This was the first time parliament (in London) passed laws affecting

American colonist

The colonist cried

“TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION”

These taxes are being passed without the consent of the American colonist..

Mr. Jefferson said this government has become destructive to the very thing it was designed to

protect

The colonist got a little crazy and destroyed property of the

government

So the king put the Boston area under

military rule

WE NEED A NEW GOVERNMENT!

The first try at a new government is:

Confederate

Democracy

No executive branch (I don’t know what

to call it)

It didn’t last