The Colonial Period

1. The Colonial Period Chapter 2 / Section 1

2. English Political Thought • Colonists brought with them two fundamental ideas: • 1. LIMITED government • Magna Carta– 1215 • Petition of Right – 1628 • English Bill of Rights -1689 (J. Locke – Two Treatises of Gov’t) • 2. REPRESENTATIVE government • British Parliament – Two Chambers • 1. House of Lords • 2. House of Commons

3. New Political Ideas • Late 1600’s-1700’s – the ENLIGHTENMENT • The Age of Reason • French Enlightenment Writers • John Locke • Social Contract Theory • The State of Nature • Natural Law • Legitimate Government and Consent • Jean-Jacque Rousseau

4. Colonial Governments • English Colonies were Established Between 1607-1733 • Did not have democracies, but had these ideals: • Written Constitution • Elected Representatives in a Legislature • Separation of Powers Between Executive and Legislative Branches

5. Written Constitutions • Mayflower Compact – The Pilgrim Plan • Social Contract • General Fundamentals – First System of Laws • Mass. Bay Colony • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut • People had right to elect offices • Other Colonies followed suit

6. Colonial Legislatures • Virginia House of Burgesses – first legislature • Virginia's Colonial Government • Puritans – church members should elect government • Contrary to church of England • Colonial legislatures had operated well before the Revolution

7. Separation of Powers • Montesquieu – The Spirit of Laws • Governor of Colony – Kings Agent • Privy Council – Reviewed Colonial Legislature and Courts • Colonial Legislature – Chosen by People • Colonial Courts – Heard Cases • Colonies were practicing self government