Unit 2: British Colonial America

What was the evolutionary timeline of the UK constitutional government?

• Magna Carta (1215)

• Parliament strengthens its role during the (1500s)

• Stuart absolutist monarchy (1600s)

• English Civil War leads to triumph of Parliament (1642 - 1649)

• Violation of the constitutional custom and Glorious Revolution of 1688

• British Republic (1649 - 1660)

• Reign of Willian & Mary (1689)

• English Bill of Rights (1689)

Who signed the Magna Carta? What was it? Why was it created?

• a document signed by King John, given to him by the Lord Barons

• contents of the Magna Carta: no taxes w/o Parliament consent, established land rights of barons (aristocrats), trial by jury, even kings are not above law

• it was created to keep the power of the monarchy in check

How did the Stuart Monarchy create problems for themselves? Who was involved?

• James I, Charles I

• Divine Rights of Kings Claim

• by-passed or ignored Parliament

• Ignored judicial process under Magna Carta

• Conflict erupted under the reign of Charles I (later beheaded)

What is the UK Parliament made of?

the House of Commons, the House of Lords, and the monarch

What did parliamentary sovereignty establish?

triumph of constitutionalism (rule of law) over absolutism

When was the Stuart absolutism challenged and when?

challenged by Commons in 17th century

When was the English Civil War? What were the two sides? What were they fighting for? How did it end?

• 1642 - 1649

• Puritans (constitutionalism) vs Anglicans and Catholics (absolutism)

• Oliver Cromwell vs Charles I

• Roundheads vs Cavaliers

• Puritans wanted to create a new church in New England, Anglicans and Catholics wanted to stay on the good side of the sovereign/monarch

• ended with regicide of Charles I in 1649

What years did the British Republic span? What happens during this time?

• 1649 - 1660

• the monarchy is abolished

• Crown Restoration in 1660 - they bring Stuarts Back

• Charles II (Merry Monarch) does not interfere with Parliament

• James II’s actions (divine right, ignore parliament, etc.) leads to Glorious Revolution of 1688

When do William and Mary accept their joint crown? What does Parliament do?

• 1689

• they establish the English Bill of Rights

What did the English Bill of Rights do?

• makes Parliament the legislator

• makes the executive

• trial by jury and annual free elections

• right to bear arms for protestants

Who was John Locke and what did he do?

• wrote ‘Two Treatises of Civil Government’

• people consent to be governed and have natural rights

• purpose of government is the protect those rights

• if gov abuses role, people have the right to withdraw their consent

What was the impact of the UK constitutional government on colonial development?

• 18th century colonial rulers understood that the monarchy is not above the law and that people have ‘natural rights’ (John Locke)

• adopted the idea of elected, representative assemblies was established (first one being Virginia’s)

• adopted the English trial by jury (origin: Magna Carta)

• adopted the idea of county divisions

• adopted the idea of a locally elected representative government

what are the similarities between the UK gov and colonial govs?

• separation of powers: legislature and executive

• monarchy —> governor

• house of lords —> the council

• house of commons —> the assembly

what is mercantilism? who was it directed by and who was it transacted by?

• merchant capitalism

• directed by governments

• global business transacted by merchants