3 Branches of GovernmentExecutive – enforces lawsLegislative – makes lawsJudicial – judges and interprets laws

English Government Structure17th and 18th century

King – Is the head of the

executive branch.Has authority over the

legislative branch (parliament cannot meet w/o his permission.

Can make laws w/o parliament except about taxes.

Appoints cabinet positions w/o approval.

Appoints judges w/o approval.

Must grant charters for colonies to exist.

ParliamentTwo houses – house of

Lords and house of commons.

House of Lords is made up of nobles – has control of the parliament. Must give permission for the king to raise taxes.

House of Commons – elected by the people but has little power. – As the power of the Middle class merchants rises in the economy so does the power of the House of commons.

English Rights as found in:

The Magna Carta - 1215 no taxation w/o representationTrial by jury of peers.

Rule of law.

The Petition of Rights 1626 Trial by jury.Habeas corpus – no imprisonment w/o

trial.No martial law during peace time.No quartering of troops No taxation w/o representation.

English Bill of Rights 1689 no taxation w/o representation.No laws passed w/o representative

approval.Fair and speedy trial.

Forbade cruel and unusual punishment.

Charter colony – a group of people granted a charter by the king – (Jamestown, New England colonies)Governor elected by

the land owning males over 21.Responsible for

enforcing England’s and the legislatures laws

Appoints judges with approval.

Colonial legislaturesTwo houses or one

houseBoth houses elected by

land owning males over 21.

Control the taxes in the colonies and set the salaries of governor and colonial officials. (power of the purse)

Proprietary Colony – a colony owned and operated by a proprietor(Pennsylvania, Carolinas, New Jersey, Maryland, Georgia)Governor appointed by

the proprietor.Has power over when

colonial legislatures can meet.

Can veto laws w/o override.

Responsible for enforcing proprietor’s rules and England’s laws

Appoints judges.

Colonial legislaturesTwo houses – Upper

house appointed by the proprietor.

Lower house (house of burgesses or assemblies) elected by land owning males over 21.

Royal Colony – a colony directly ruled by the king and parliamentGovernor appointed by

the King.Has power over when

colonial legislatures can meet.

Can veto laws w/o override.

Responsible for enforcing king’s laws and colonial laws.

Appoints judges.

Colonial legislaturesTwo houses – Upper

house appointed by the king or the governor.

Lower house (house of burgesses or assemblies) elected by land owning males over 21.

Control the taxes in the colonies and set the salaries of governor and colonial officials. (power of the purse)