g John was violating their rights and privileges, so they forced him to sign the Magna Carta, a charter establishing the principle of the rule of law and limiting the power of the monarchy. This document laid the foundation for modern democracy aroun

Slide1The English  Heritage of  American Government

Slide2Is there a British Constitution?• In a sense, yes.  While it is not written, the unwritten British Constitution is made up of common law, acts of Parliament and political customs and traditions. • Three significant documents were important in the development of the British Constitution and the rights of the English people.

Slide31.)The Magna Carta• In 1215, English nobles believed King John was abusing his power by forcing them to supply armies, equipment, and money for his many campaigns.  Those who failed to do so were severely punished.   A war transpired between the nobles and the king – a war that the nobles won. • As a result, they forced the King John to sign the Magna Carta, or Great Charter.

Slide4The significance ofthe Magna Carta • Government should be based on the rule of law • Government should be based on an agreement between the ruler and the people • Certain basic rights may not be denied by government • Representatives of the people  should take part in government • The Magna Carta was the first document describing the rights of Englishmen. The document contains the following significant concepts which were key to the development of constitutional governments in Great Britain and America:

Slide5The Developmentof Parliament Henry III, The king who followed John to the throne, met regularly with a group of nobles and Church officials to seek their advice.  This group became known as Parliament By the late 1300’s, parliament had developed into a legislature (a law making body). It eventually split into two houses (bicameral legislature) called the House of Lords and The House of Commons.

Slide6The Bicameral (Two-House) ParliamentHouse of Lords All of the Peers. They are unelected. They are nominated experts in their fields. The Prime Minister has a large say in who becomes a Peer. 6 House of Commons All of the MPs elected by UK citizens in the general election. Each represents their own constituency.

Slide7The Petition of Right1628 • While the Magna Carta established some rights for noblemen, many rights and laws continued to be violated. • More than 400 years after the Magna Carta was signed, a struggle between King Charles and Parliament led to the Petition of Right .

Slide8Why was the Petition ofRight Important? The Petition of Right limited the king’s power to tax people without the consent of Parliament. It also guaranteed English subjects certain rights such as protection from Habeas Corpus

Slide9The Glorious Revolution andthe English Bill of Rights • In the 17 th  Century, England suffered from lengthy civil and religious wars. • Protestants and Catholics were feuding to determine which would be the established religion of England • The wars ended with a Protestant victory known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688

Slide10•The Protestant victory over King James II resulted in a law that stated English rulers must be members of the Church of England. • The English Bill of Rights established the Church of England and set forth the rights and liberties of English subjects. Parliament removed King James and offered the throne to William and Mary

Slide11What Was Included In TheEnglish Bill of Rights? • It restated the concept of Rule of Law • It established Parliamentary supremacy • It restated the concept of government by contract and consent • It established a balance of powers between the executive and legislative branches

Slide12InfluencingAmerican Government • The English Bill of Rights, Petition of Right, and the Magna Carta served as examples for the American Bill of Rights. • The most powerful example they set were how to protect rights by limiting government.

Slide13Our English Heritage• Rule of Law – not even the ruler is above the law • Representative Government – people should have a voice in government • Limited Government – citizens have basic rights that are protected by law