American Government 2.1   The Colonial Period 

Drill: Laissez-faire & Capitalism 
Laissez-faire economy- a hands-off economy
Capitalism - Free enterprise system

OBJECTIVE:
Students will be able to explain why colonists expected representative government and describe the level of democracy in the colonies by reading excerpts from chapter 

Notes:
I. An English Political Heritage 
A. The English colonists brought with them a heritage of freedom 
B. The concept of limited government, from the Magna Carta
C. The Right of Petition - 1628 
D. The colonists firmly believed in representative government, following the model of Parliament.
F. The ideas of the English philosopher John Locke deeply influenced the American colonists.
II. Government in the Colonies 
A. The present system of government evolved largely from colonial governments.
B. Written plans of government (constitutions) were a key feature of the colonial period.
C. Representative assemblies were elected by the people.
D. The division of government powers among the governor, the legislatures, and courts helped establish the principle of the separation of powers.
III. Odds & Ends
A. The Magna Carta established limited government
B. John Locke wrote the textbook for the American Revolution
C. The Mayflower Compact was the first colonial government
D. The Great Fundamentals were the first set of colonial laws
E. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut became America’s first formal constitution
F. Charles I signed the Petition of Right that stopped collection of taxes without Parliament’s consent.
G. A government in which people elect delegates to make laws is a representative government
H. The first legislature in America was the Virginia House of Burgesses.
I. Dividing the powers of government as the colonial charters did is called separation of powers.

American Government 2.1   The Colonial Period 

Review
1. D			 6. D
2. C 			 7. C
3. A			 8. C
4. E			 9. B
5. B 			10. A

11. John Locke’s ideas considered revolutionary because Monarchs still ruled by divine right at the time and such statements were considered treason.
12.Democracy in the colonies differed from democracy in the United States today because the right to vote was limited to white males with property.

Primary Documents and Speeches Origins of American Government
1. The author of this document was the Stamp Act Congress in October 19, 1765.
2. The intended audience was the king of England.
3. This primary document lists the principles or rights that the American colonist were entitled.
4. Colonists would choose their own representatives; trial by jury; no taxation without representation.
5. Resolution I is in conflict because it pledged the colonists’ allegiance to the Crown of Great Britain and recognized the authority of Parliament, whereas the other resolutions proclaimed the colonists’ rights. 

Summary: In today’s lesson we explained why colonists expected to be ruled by a representative government; and we describe how democracy worked in the colonies 

Homework: Magna Carta  & Divine Right
Magna Carta – First constitution established to limit government
Divine Right – the concept that power of a king come from God

Name ________________________________Date____________ Class _________
American Government 2.1 The Colonial Period
 
Even though the American colonists got many of their ideas about representative government and freedom from England, that country has no written constitution. The British constitution, which is one of the oldest in the world, was never set down in writing. Yet the centuries old traditions of individual rights and limits on government in that unwritten constitution have been powerful forces for democracy in the United States, as well as in other nations.

Match each item in Column A with the items in Column B. Write the correct letters in the blanks. 
Column A
_____1. established limited government
_____2. textbook of the American Revolution
_____3. colonial government
_____4. colonial laws
_____5. America’s first formal constitution
	Column B
A. Mayflower Compact
B. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
C. John Locke
D. Magna Carta
E. Great Fundamentals

In the blank at the left, write the letter of the choice that best completes the statement or answers the question. 
_____6. The original 13 colonies were established and governed by
A. West Africa. 				C. France.
B. Germany. 					D. England.
_____7. Charles I signed this document that stopped collection of taxes without Parliament’s consent.
A. Magna Carta 				C. Petition of Right
B. English Bill of Rights 			D. Mayflower Compact
_____8. A government in which people elect delegates to make laws is
A. a limited government. 			C. a representative government.
B. an autocratic government. 			D. an oligarchic government.
_____9. The first legislature in America was the
A. Jamestown House of Burgesses. 		C. American Legislature.
B. Virginia House of Burgesses. 		D. English House of Burgesses.
_____10. Dividing the powers of government as the colonial charters did is called
A. separation of powers. 			C. limited government.
B. legislative government. 			D. government of petitions.

11. Why were John Locke’s ideas considered revolutionary? 

12. How did democracy in the colonies differ from democracy in the United States today? 

2.1 Primary Documents: Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress, October 19, 1765
T he members of this Congress, . . . with the warmest sentiments of affection and duty to His Majesty’s Person and Government . . . esteem it our duty to make the following declarations . . .
I. That His Majesty’s subjects in these colonies, owe the same allegiance to the Crown of Great-Britain, that is owing from his subjects born within the realm . . .

2.1 Historical Documents: Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress, October 19, 1765…continued

II. That His Majesty’s liege subjects in these colonies, are entitled to all the inherent rights and liberties of his natural born subjects within the kingdom of Great-Britain.
III. That it is inseparably essential to the freedom of a people, and the undoubted right of Englishmen, that no taxes be imposed on them, but with their own consent . . .
IV. That the people of these colonies are not, and from their local circumstances cannot be, represented in the House of Commons in Great-Britain.
V. That the only representatives of the people of these colonies, are persons chosen therein by themselves, and that no taxes . . . can be . . . imposed on them, but by their respective legislatures.
VI. That . . . it is . . . inconsistent with the principles and spirit of the British Constitution, for the people of Great-Britain to grant to His Majesty the property of the colonists.
VII. That trial by jury is the inherent and invaluable right of every British subject in these colonies. 
VIII. That the late Act of Parliament, entitled, An Act for granting and applying certain Stamp Duties, and other Duties . . . by extending the jurisdiction of the courts of Admiralty beyond its ancient limits . . . subvert the rights and liberties of the colonists.
IX. That the duties imposed . . . will be extremely burthensome and grievous; and from the scarcity of specie, the payment of them absolutely impracticable.
X. That as the profits of the trade of these colonies ultimately center in Great-Britain, to pay for the manufactures which they are obliged to take from thence, they eventually contribute very largely to all supplies granted there to the Crown.
XI. That the restrictions . . . will render them unable to purchase the manufactures of Great-Britain.
XII. That the increase, prosperity, and happiness of these colonies, depend on the full and free enjoyment of their rights and liberties, and an intercourse with Great-Britain mutually affectionate and advantageous.
XIII. That it is the right of . . . subjects in these colonies, to petition the King or . . . Parliament.

DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions.
1. Who wrote this document? When?

2. Who was the intended audience?

3. What was the purpose of this primary document?

4. Which of these principles were later incorporated in the Declaration of Independence?

5. Which of the 13 resolutions is seemingly in conflict with the rest? Explain your answer.

In your own words summarize today’s lesson.