American Colonial Government

Colonial Government

We will identify the different forms of government used in England and the 13 Colonies.

How well do you know your government?

Answer each question the best you can.

Poll

What kind of government do we have in the US?

• monarchy

• democracy

• republic

Poll

Does the president have absolute power in the government?

• Yes

• No

• Maybe

Poll

Who is supposed to rule our country?

• the government

• the people

Poll

How do we, Americans, have a voice in the government?

• voting

• protesting

• being elected to government positions

• free speech

• the press (including social media)

Poll

Where are our rights as citizens listed and protected?

• Bill of Rights

• Constitution

• Magna Carta

Types of Government

Read about each type of government and answer the questions about them.

Monarchy

• One ruler chosen by birth or family.

• Examples: king, queen, emperor, czar

• Absolute monarchy: the ruler has absolute power over their country. Their country serves them.

• Constitutional monarchy: the ruler's power is limited by a constitution and legislature.

• There is a class (the nobility) below the ruler who acts in his name.

Democracy

• Citizens vote on laws and decisions for the community or country

• Direct democracy: EVERYONE votes for EVERYTHING

• Representative Democracy: People vote for leaders to REPRESENT them in government. Those representatives make laws and decisions.

• 
  

• 
  

Republic

• People vote for leaders to REPresent them in the government.

• That is why the US is both a democracy and a republic.

• Think about the Pledge of Allegiance

• I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the REPUBLIC for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.

Multiple Choice

When a king rules the country, what type of government is that?

• monarchy

• democracy

• republic

Multiple Choice

When the people or citizens VOTE on decisions for the country, what type of government is that?

• monarchy

• democracy

• republic

Multiple Choice

When the people or citizens vote for REPresentatives to make decision in the government, what type of government is that?

• monarchy

• democracy

• republic

European Class System

• Class = social situation you were born into and would die in.

• People believed that the further down you were, the more inferior you were.

• People did not have power to change their class.

Magna Carta

Parliament

Multiple Choice

What was the purpose of the Magna Carta?

• increase the King's power

• give money to the King

• limit the King's power

Multiple Choice

What was created after the Magna Carta to limit the King's power?

• Parliament

• Congress

• Six Flags

Multiple Choice

What is the principle where the government's power is limited?

• Monarchy

• Limited Government

• Checks and Balances

Multiple Choice

What is a legislature?

• A group of people who make laws for the rest of the country.

• A group who councils the king on decisions.

Multiple Choice

True or False - The US has a Bill of Rights?

• true

• false

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of a Bill of Rights?

• protect the legal rights of individuals

• to increase English power

• to create a democracy

European Class System

• Class = social situation you were born into and would die in.

• People believed that the further down you were, the more inferior you were.

• People did not have power to change their class.

• This is a big reason people immigrated to the colonies.

• There class didn't matter as much and people could change their life!

Salutary Neglect

• neglect = ignore

• The King and parliament didn't care how the 13 colonies governed themselves just whether they claimed land and made money for England

• The colonies had to come up with their own governments.

• They took a lot of ideas from England.

Virginia House of Burgesses

Mayflower Compact

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Multiple Choice

Which colonial form of government was the first legislature (law-making group) in the 13 colonies?

• Mayflower Compact

• Virginia House of Burgesses

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Multiple Choice

Which colonial form of government was a social contract?

• Mayflower Compact

• Virginia House of Burgesses

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Multiple Choice

Which colonial form of government was the first constitution in the 13 colonies?

• Mayflower Compact

• Virginia House of Burgesses

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Multiple Choice

Which colonial form of government was an example of self government and representative government?

• Mayflower Compact

• Virginia House of Burgesses

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

• all of them

Poll

Which form of government do you think had the most impact on the US?

• Magna Carta

• English Bill of Rights

• Virginia House of Burgesses

• Mayflower Compact

• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Open Ended

Exit Ticket: Which form of government do you think had the most impact on the US today? TAG it!