UNIT One : Lesson Fiv e

1. UNIT One: Lesson Five What Basic Ideas About Rights and Constitutional Government Did Colonial Americans Hold?

2. How did Settlement of America Inspire New Experiments in Constitutional Government? • 150 years between first settlements and Independence • England gained control over “colonies” to develop a profitable maritime empire • To entice people to go to the colonies, the Crown offered incentives: • Royal Proprietorships: The King gave control of regions of the colonies to friends. They would then lure settlers • Joint-Stock Companies: Companies given rights to settle regions of the colonies along the East Coast. They then had to attract settlers to keep their control

3. The Mayflower Compact • One of the earliest settlements was the Virginia Company of London (which was given rights to settle in Virginia but landed instead in Massechusetts) • Leaders believed they needed a government even before they landed “THE MAYFLOWER COMPACT” “We . . the loyal subjects of . . King James . . having undertaken . . a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God and of one another, Covenant and Combine ourselves together into a Civil Body Politic, for our better ordering and preservation . . And by virtue hereof, to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.”

4. What was UNIQUE about the “American Experience?” • Land was Cheap • Unlike in England, land could be bought and there was plenty of it • Land ownership was seen as a sign of wealth • Labor was Scarce • Indentured Servants (sold labor in exchange for cost of trip to colonies) • Rules that applied in England didn’t fly in the Colonies • Opportunities to achieve a better life • Rigid class system not adhered to • Wealth and family name did not mean automatic success • Land was not just handed down to eldest sons • Chance to improve one’s lot in life becomes a fundamental ideal of the American experience • Ben Franklin (became great inventor, statesman and diplomat) • Thomas Paine (corset maker’s son became famous writer for the Revolution) • Alexander Hamilton (son of poor unwed mother became 1st Secretary of the Treasury in the new United States)

5. Rights become part of Colonial Charters • Charter: a written document from a government or ruler that grants certain rights • All the rights enjoyed by British citizens • Massachusetts Body of Liberties of 1641 • Rule of Law • Protection against Abuse of Power • Habeas Corpus • Trial by Jury, Free Elections • Right to Own Property • No Unreasonable Search and Seizure • No Self Incrimination • No Cruel and Unusual Punishment • Redress of Grievances

6. Quick Review • How did the Crown grant land control in the new colonies? • What was the Mayflower Compact and why was it important? • What are 3 things that made the American Experience UNIQUE? • What is a CHARTER? • Name 3 rights that were in early colonial charters

7. Colonial Governments used Basic Ideas from England • Early Colonial Constitutions included some of these • Fundamental Rights • Life, Liberty & Property • Rule of Law • All have to obey the laws created by the government • Representative Government • Right to elect representatives used to entice settlers to the colonies • Representative Assemblies reduced the possibility of rights being violated • Assemblies would respond to the needs and interests of the people • Established the principle of “No Taxation Without Representation” • Separation of Powers (Legislatures, Governors, Courts) • Legislatures • Upper – selected by governor • Lower – elected by landowners • Governors (chosen by the King to represent him and carry out his laws) • Courts – created to administer local justice and preside over trials

8. Who did not benefit these RIGHTS? • Voting: Only wealthy, landowning males • Limits on who could hold office • Women (could not vote or own property) • Indentured Servants (no rights, same rights as child) • Slaves (no rights, treated as “property”) • Native Americans (not only no rights, but lands actually taken from them)

9. Colonial Governments used Basic Ideas from England • Royal Charters said little about how local governments should function • Structure • Governor appointed by the Crown • Council of landlords to advise the Governor and act as the court • Assembly elected by the people that had a say in taxation

10. How did Colonial Governments become MORE representative that the government in England? • American colonists believed that the security of land ownership was key to the security of life and liberty • Land ownership was a qualifier for some rights like voting • Actual number of people who were eligible to vote was higher in the colonies than in England (land easy and cheap to buy) • Colonial Legislatures were more representative • Colonial Elections offered 2 or more candidates and legislators served shorter terms in the colonies • Legislators had to live in the district they represented and act as a “Voice of the People” (their CONSTITUENTS) • Legislatures were expected to know the needs/interests of their constituents (In England, legislators were expected to follow the needs of the nation, not their constituents, who they knew little about)