The document discusses the origins of the American system of government from English influences during the colonial period. It describes how the colonists brought ideas of limited government and representative democracy from England, tracing back to documents like the Magna Carta. These English concepts like habeas corpus, separation of powers, and protection of individual rights deeply impacted how colonial governments developed and informed the later creation of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The philosopher John Locke's theories of natural rights and limited government also strongly influenced American political thought during this era.

1. CH 2: The Origins of the
American Government
Section 1: The Colonial Period

2. The English colonists brought with
them a heritage of freedom and
principles of government that helped
shape the development of the United
States.

3. The concept of limited
government, dating from the
Magna Carta, was an accepted
part of the English system.

4. The Petition of Right in 1628 severely
limited the power of the English
monarch.
The colonists believed in the limits on
the ruler’s power and the freedoms
protected in the English Bill of Rights
passed by Parliament in 1688.

5. The colonists firmly believed in a
representative government,
following the model of Parliament.

6. The ideas of the seventeenth
century English philosopher John
Locke deeply influenced the
American colonists.
• John Locke: Natural Rights to Life, Liberty,
and Property

7. Using your textbook p37, answer:
• Why were John Locke’s ideas
considered revolutionary?

8. Where did our ideas on
government come from?
• The present system of American
government evolved largely from
colonial governments and their
practices.

9. Written plans of government were a
key feature of the colonial period.

10. Representative assemblies elected by
the people helped establish the
tradition of representative
government in America.

11. The division of government powers
among the governor, the colonial
legislatures, and colonial courts
helped establish the principle of the
separation of powers.

12. Let’s Sum It All Up!
• Answer the questions listed below in your
notes while you view this:
• Magna Carta, English Bill of Rights, and
American Government
• 1. How does a constitution limit
government?
• 2. What 3 things are in the Magna Carta?
• 3. What are the key features of the English
Bill of Rights?

13. Let’s Compare!
MAGNA CARTA – 1215
• 1. No taxation w/o
representation
•
•
•
• 2. Trial by jury
•
Check it out…
• 1. Article I, Section 2 &
Article 1, Sec.2, 1
• 15th Amendment, 24th
Amendment, 26th
Amendment, 16th
Amendment,
•
• 2.Bill of Right- 6th
Amendment
•

14. PETITION OF RIGHT – 1628
• 3. Monarch needs consent
from Parliament to collect
taxes
•
•
• 4. Need just cause to
imprison people
•
•
•
• 5. No Quarter (cannot house
troops in private homes)
Check it out…
• 3.Article I, Section 7 and 8
•
•
•
• 4.Bill of Rights- 5th
Amendment
•
•
•
• 5.Bill of Rights- 3rd
Amendment
•

15. ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS- 1689
• 6. Monarchs do not have divine
right
•
•
• 7. Monarch cannot interfere w/
Parliament elections
•
•
• 8. Petition the gov’t
•
•
•
• 9. No cruel or unusual punishment
Check it out…
• 6. Article I, Section 9, Clause 8,
• Preamble
•
• 7. Article I, Section 2
•
•
•
• 8.Bill of Rights- 1st Amendment
•
•
•
• 9.Bill of Rights- 8th Amendment