Purpose of Government

1
Purpose of Government

• To form a more perfect union
• Establish justice
• Insure domestic tranquility
• Provide for the common defense
• Promote the general welfare
• Secure the blessings of liberty

2
Landmark English Documents

• The basic notions of freedom and government can
  be traced back to several landmark documents in
  English history

3
The Magna Carta (1215)

• A group of land barons forced King John to sign
  the document, which established the principle
  that the kings power is not absolute.
• Trial by jury
• Due process of the law
• Protection from arbitrary taking of life,
  liberty, or property

4
Provisions of Oxford (1264)Bicameral

• Written to limit the monarchy, it included the
  establishment of a baronial council that could
  veto the kings decisions.
• Established the parliament
• Included the great land owning barons- House of
  Lords
• Two knights from each sire
• Two representatives from each town
• House of Commons

5
Petition of Right (1628)

• The king can not imprison political critics
• Trial by jury
• Rule the military in times of peace
• People are not required to shelter troops without
  the homeowners consent
• The petition challenged the idea of the divine
  right of kings and even the monarch must obey the
  law

6
The English bill of Rights 1689

• This document declared
• All elections be free and for everyone
• The right to a fair and speedy trial
• Freedom from excessive bail
• Cruel and unusual punishment

7
John Locke

• He was an English philosopher that stated life,
  liberty and property were natural rights rather
  than privileges.
• This heavily influenced the forefathers when
  writing the constitution and the U.S. bill of
  rights.

8
Basic Concept of Governmentthat Influenced the
Colonies

• Ordered Government to provided an orderly
  regulation with one another(sheriff, justice of
  the peace.)
• Limited Government gov. is limited in what it
  can, it is not all powerful
• Represented Government people have a voice in
  gov. Government by the people for the people