We the People Lesson 6 How did constitutional government develop in Great Britain?

We the People Lesson 6 How did constitutional government

develop in Great Britain?

An English Political Heritage

• English colonists brought with them a heritage of freedom and principles of government that helped shape the development of the United States.

• Most important to the colonists was to have a government which limited the monarch’s power and represented the will of the people.

Key Events/Documents

• 1066-Feudalism introduced to England• 1215-Magna Carta• 1258-Parliament• 1628-Petition of Right• 1689-English Bill of Rights

Constitutional Government

• Citizens have rights-life, liberty, property

• Gov’t responsibility to protect rights• Limits on the power of gov’t• Principle of private domain• Changed with consent and according to

set procedures (contract)

1066-Feudalism

Details• Intro by King William• A governing system

of Pol, Econ, Soc organization

• Three classes of people

Royalty

Nobility

Common People

1066-Feudalism

Details• King owned all land• System of contracts b/w king-

nobles-vassals

Royalty

Nobility

Common People

1066-Feudalism

Why imp. to dev. of Const. gov’t?

• Introduces the idea of a contract-both sides have responsibilities

• Monarch starts to share power


• Citizens have rights• Gov’t responsibility to protect rights• Limits on the power of gov’t (slightly)• Private domain• Changed with consent (contract)

1215-Magna Carta

Details• Nobles accustomed

to having rights & powers

• Nobles force King John to sign “Great Charter”

• Limits power of the ruler

1215-Magna Carta

Details• Influence on Founders

• Gov’t based on contract

• Rule of law (higher law!

• Contract b/w king and nobility• King cannot take

away nobility’s rights• Nobility must obey

laws

1215-Magna Carta

Why imp. to dev. of const. gov’t?

• Limits on power of ruler

• Rule of law-all sides obey the law

• Contract-both sides have responsibility

• Foundation for protection of all ppl


• Citizens have rights• Gov’t responsibility to protect rights• Limits on the power of gov’t• Private domain• Changed with consent (contract)

1258-Parliament

Details• Nobles force king

to create advisory coun.=Parliament

• House of Lords-nobles

• House of Commons-large land owners

1258-Parliament

Details• Grows from

advisory to representative body

• Struggle for power

1258-Parliament

Why imp. to dev. of Const. Gov’t?

• Separation of powers

• Representative gov’t


• Citizens have rights• Gov’t responsibility to protect rights• Limits on the power of gov’t

(separation of powers)• Private domain• Changed with consent (contract,

representative government)

1628-Petition of Right

Details• King tried to

pressure ppl for money w/o consent from Parl.

• King tried to house soldiers in ppl’s homes


Details• King forced to sign

Petition of Right • Could not collect taxes

without consent of Parl.• Could not imprison

people without just cause (habeas corpus)

• Could not house troops in private homes.

• Could not declare martial law.


Why imp. to dev. of Const. Gov’t?

• P of R strengthened the idea that English subjects had rights the gov’t could not violate



1689-English Bill of Rights

Details• By 1688, balance

of power shifts to Parl.

• Eng. B of R passed in 1689 (Glorious Revolution)

• Gave rights to Parl.• Further limited

power of Monarch

1689-English Bill of Rights

Why imp. to dev of Const gov’t?• Free elections to Parl.• Right to petition the government• Parliament must agree to suspend laws,

levy taxes, or maintain an army• Monarch cannot take arms from Prot.• Monarch cannot interfere w/ right to

free speech or debate in Parl.• No cruel or unusual punishment



An English Political Heritage

• English colonists brought with them a heritage of freedom and principles of government that helped shape the development of the United States.

• Most important to the colonists was to have a government which limited the monarch’s power and represented the will of the people.

Trace

In narrative form, describe progress, development of historical events from some point of origin.

Trace the development of constitutional government in Great Britain.

1066 Feudalism

1215 Magna Carta

1258 Parliament

1628 Petition of Right

1689 English Bill of Rights