2.1 Our English Heritage

– ruled England - gave nobles ownership and control of land - nobles gave loyalty, tax payments, and military support

1. Monarch

2. English traditions -4 traditions helped shape our form of government

-Magna Carta

-English Bill of Rights

-England’s unwritten constitution

-use of common law

3. Magna Carta – 1199 King John inherits the throne

- harsh ruler - 1215 nobles rebel - forced King John to

sign “Great Charter” - protected the nobles

privileges and authority law

- granted rights to landowners - equal treatment under the

law - trial by peers

- limited the power of the monarch

- no one is above the law

4. Parliament – began in late 1300s - legislature - cooperation between

monarch and parliament - 1688 King James II was removed from power by

parliament showing parliament is now

stronger

- replaced by daughter Mary and her husband William - known as the Glorious

Revolution (peaceful transfer of power)

- no ruler would be greater than the legislature

The glorious revolution

– 1689 - rights for ruler, citizens, and parliament

- all actions needed consent of Parliament

5. English Bill of Rights

- monarch could not suspend - Parliaments laws - create special courts - impose taxes - act in a military conflict

- Parliament would be freely elected - free speech - citizens would have a fair trial by

jury and stop cruel and unusual punishment

– customs and precedents - judges look to earlier cases to make a

ruling (precedent) - American laws about contracts,

property and personal injury is based on common law

6. Common law

7. Jamestown – 1st colony - founded 1607 - granted a charter from King

James I - 1619 set up Virginia House of

Burgesses - beginning of self

government - 22 burgesses (men) - 2 from each county - elected by colonists - little power

– Pilgrims written plan of government - direct democracy - males vote - majority rules - just and equal laws

8. Mayflower Compact

9. Colonial government – 13 governments - governor - elected by

colonists - appointed by

English king - legislature - elected

representatives - modeled after

English Parliament

- each colony had

- church

- school

- hospital

- fire department

– many of the rights that we have today can be traced back to the

political and legal traditions of England

10. Today