Ch. 2 Roots of American Democracy

  • Jan 1, 1100

    English Monarchs 1100-1200

    Monarchs rule but Nobel families gained power via land in exchange for loyalty
  • Jan 1, 1215

    1215 Magna Carta

    Nobles force King John, who was treating them horribly, to sign a document
    -limited power of monarch - no one could be above the law
  • Jan 1, 1300

    1300s next king develops a group that represents common people: Parliament

  • Period: to

    English Colonies in America (1600s-1700s)

    -Accept no common laws
    -No ruler is above the law
    -should have basic rights protected
    -should have a voice in government
  • 1619 House of Burgesses (VA)

    1st representative assembly/legislature in English Colonies
  • 1620 Mayflower Compact

    Established direct democracy
  • Period: to

    John Locke: English Writer (1632-1704)

    -people are born free equal & independent
    -born with natural rights to life, liberty and property that no gov't could tak away
    -gov't must maintain social contract
    -people give up part of their freedom in exchange to protection of natural rights
  • 1639 Fundimental Order of Connecticut

    -1st written constitution in America
    -assembly of elected reps from each town to make laws
    -popular election of governor and judges
  • 1641 Massachusettes Body of Liberties

  • 1683 Pennsylvania Prame of Government

    Establishes basis of of US Constitutionamd Bill of Rights
  • 1688 Glorious Revolution

    Parliament removes King James III amd replaces him with his daughter Mary and her husband William
    - from this time on, no ruler would have more power than Parliament
  • 1689 English Bill of Rights

    -further restricted monarch's power
    -guaranteed free elections to Parliament
    -right to a fair trial
    -eliminated cruel and unusual punishments
  • Period: to

    Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

    Divide branches of government into different parts to balance eachother out so no one can be too strong
  • Mid 1700s

    13 English colonies established
    -each colony has has a government elected by the colonists or appointed by the king
    -each had a legislature with representative elected by free adult males
  • Period: to

    Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)

    -wrote The Social Contract
    -people alone have the right to determine how they should be governeded
  • 1754 Albany Plan of Union

    1st discussion of colonies for union against Bristish government
  • Proclamation of 1763

    Can't live on the land west of Appalachian Mts. so as not to stir up the native Americans
  • 1765 Stamp Act

    Tax on all paper goods
  • 1765 Quartering Act

    Colonists must provide barracks and supplies to British troops
  • 1766 day Stamp Act repealed, established Declatory Act

    Parliament has the right to tax and make decisions for American colonies in all cases