Origins of American Goverment |
Origins of American Government History of Individual Rights Individual Rights -- recent concept in Western Civilization Rights of Group -- Royalty, Nobility, Clergy, and Guilds Classic Republicanism (Roman Republic) -- The best kind of society promotes the common welfare over of individual rights. The Romans Believed: Civic Virtue -- one who sets asides personal interests to promote the common welfare. Moral Education -- since civic virtue was not natural, education should develop the right habits by admiring people in literature, poetry, and music. Small, Uniform Communities -- diversity should not be tolerated. Established Religion -- a set of family and moral customs to which all conform. How did Ideas about Group Rights and Individual Rights Change? Middle Ages -- King shared some powers with the Nobility Royalty -- king, queen and their family Nobility -- lords, ladies, earls and baron Commons -- knights, merchants, craftsmen, and large landowners who were not nobility. Renaissance (Rebirth) Through expanding their knowledge and view of the world, people increased their interest in the rights of individuals and their relationship to religion and government. Protestant Reformation Christian religious groups challenged the authority of the Church of Rome (catholic). John Calvin and Martin Luther Protestant religion emphasized the direct relationship between the individual and God. English Heritage From 1215 until the settlement of Jamestown, the government of England had gone through many changes. 1215 -- Magna Carta. Signed by King John (first step toward democracy) 1290 -- Parliament Advised the King 1600 -- Parliament was making all of the laws 1628 -- Petition of Rights. Resulted from Charles I disbanding of Parliament in 1625. 1689 -- English Bill of Rights. Following the Glorious Revolution. Removal of James II William and Mary No Divine Right to Rule Monarch needed Parliament's approval to: suspend laws raise or lower taxes maintain an army Monarch could not interfere with elections and debates the right to petition trial by jury speedy trial cruel and unusual punishment 1750 -- Parliament had more power than the King Parliament established Common Law Rights to the People These were the ideas that Englishmen brought to America Settlements in America 1607 -- Jamestown -- after several failed attempts, Jamestown was the 1st permanent settlement in America King James I granted a charter to the Virginia Company Jamestown was almost a failure Why? Poor Location Poor Leadership Unprepared and lazy Colony saved by Captain John Smith 1619 -- House of Burgesses established -- first lawmaking body away from England 1620 -- Plymouth, Massachusetts Members of the Church of England became dissatisfied Pilgrims -- (AKS Separatist) wanted to separate from the church Puritans -- wanted to stay and Purify the church The Separatist were first to leave. After a short time in Holland, the Separatist set sail on the Mayflower. Arrived in November Established the Mayflower Compact (rule by the majority) Philosophy of Natural Rights Believed people were born with Natural Rights How to Determine Natural Rights Question: "What are the things that all people always need and seek, no matter what they believe, no matter where and when they live?" Life. People want to survive and they want their lives to be as free as possible from threats to their security. Liberty. People want to be as free as possible from the domination of others, to be able to make their own decisions, and to live as they please. Property. People want the freedom to work and gain economic goods such as land, property, tools, and money. Argued that these rights are unalienable Governments are needed to enforce rules to protect everyone's Natural Rights |
