The document discusses the origins of American government from the colonial period, including the English heritage that influenced it. Key aspects of the English heritage discussed include the Magna Carta, Petition of Right, Bill of Rights, representative government through Parliament, and John Locke's philosophies on natural rights and changing governments. The document then summarizes some of the early colonial governments, including the Mayflower Compact, Virginia House of Burgesses, and the beginning of separation of powers.

1. Origins of American
Government
The Colonial Period

2. English Heritage
• Limited Government
– Power of the ruler is
limited and not
absolute.
– Magna Carta: signed
in 1215 by King John
• Protected against
unjust laws and loss of
life, liberty, or property.

3. English Heritage
• Petition of Right
– Parliament’s limit on Charles I
in 1628.
– Limited power:
• Parliament had to approve taxes.
• No imprisonment without just
cause.
• No quartering of troops.
• No martial law without war.

4. English Heritage
• Bill of Rights
– Resulted from the Glorious Revolution
• Monarchs do not have a divine right to rule.
• Parliament must give permission to suspend
laws, collect taxes, or maintain an army.
• No interference with elections.
• People have the right to petition the
government.
• No cruel or unusual punishment.

5. English Heritage
• Representative Government
– Government in which people elect delegates to
make laws and conduct government.
• 2 chambers to Parliament:
– House of Lords: nobility
– House of Commons: elected businessmen and merchants from
middle class.

6. English Heritage
Parliament - London
Gordon Brown

7. English Heritage
• John Locke
– Two Treatises on
Government
• All people are born free, equal
and independent
• Natural Rights: Life, Liberty,
and Property
• If the government does not
satisfy these rights, the people
have a right to change the
government.
• Influence of American
Revolutionary documents.

8. Colonial Governments
• Written Constitutions
– Mayflower Compact (1620)
• Basic rules for the colony of Plymouth Rock, MA.
• First plan of self-government in colonies.
• Influenced the other colonies that followed.
• Usually allowed people to elect their own governors, judges, and
representatives.

9. Colonial Governments
• Colonial Legislatures
– Virginia House of Burgesses (1619)
• First representative government in the colonies
• Showed that Americans could manage their
own affairs.
• Requirement to vote was to own property; not
an issue in America.

10. Colonial Governments
• Separation of Powers
– Division of the power of government
• Still must answer to the King; but considerable self-
government
• Three branches
– Legislative
– Executive
– Judicial