Notes for Government – Principles in Action

Chapter 2 – Origins of American Government

Section 1 – Our Political Beginnings

Colonists brought with them to North America knowledge of the English political system.

This knowledge included three (3) key ideas:

1. The first idea was one of ordered government.

This means that a government’s rules should help people get along in their life.

2. The second idea was of a limited government.

This meant that government should have restricted powers.

3. The third idea was of a representative government.

This meant that the government should serve the people.

The English tradition of government grew from three (3) landmark documents

These documents would greatly affect the government the colonists would create.

The Magna Carta was the first, and was enacted in 1215.

It said that the king did not have total power. It also protected the rights of trial by jury. Lastly, it gave people the right of due process of the law.

The Petition of Right was the second, which was put into effect in 1628.

It said that the king could not impose military rule in peacetime. The king could not imprison subject without lawful judgment by peers or rule of law. The king could also not force unwilling citizens to house soldiers.

The English Bill of Rights was the third in 1689.

It prohibited keeping an army during peacetime. It required free parliamentary elections. It guaranteed the right to a fair trial. It forbade cruel and unusual punishments and excessive bail.

The colonists formed into English colonies that became of three (3) types.

Each colony provided training in the art of government for its colonists

Each