Foundations of American Government: English Influences on Colonial Political Ideas

The video explores how American colonists inherited political ideas from England, focusing on the Magna Carta, Petition of Right, and English Bill of Rights. These documents influenced the colonists' views on limited government and civil liberties. The video also discusses the development of colonial assemblies, such as the Virginia House of Burgesses and the Mayflower Compact, which laid the groundwork for self-government. By the American Revolution, each colony had its own assembly, executive branch, and court system, with assemblies holding significant power due to their control over funds and distance from Britain.

What was the primary purpose of the Magna Carta?

• To expand the king's power

• To establish a new monarchy

• To limit the power of the government

• To create a new religion

Which document required the monarch to obtain Parliament's consent for taxation?

• The Petition of Right

• The Mayflower Compact

• The Magna Carta

• The English Bill of Rights

What was a key provision of the English Bill of Rights?

• The right to free speech

• The right to a fair trial

• The right to bear arms

• The right to vote

How did the English Bill of Rights influence American colonies?

• It led to the creation of the Continental Congress

• It was directly adopted as the U.S. Constitution

• It established the first American court system

• Its provisions were incorporated into the U.S. Bill of Rights

Which was the first elected colonial assembly in America?

• The Mayflower Compact

• The Virginia House of Burgesses

• The Continental Congress

• The New England Confederation

What was the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

• It was the first declaration of independence

• It established the first colonial assembly

• It was the first plan for self-government in the colonies

• It was the first written constitution in America

What was a common feature of the governments in the 13 colonies?

• They all had a single legislative body

• They all had a royal governor

• They were guided by charters or written constitutions

• They were all democracies

Who appointed the governors in royal colonies?

• The King

• The British Parliament

• The local councils

• The colonial assemblies

What limited the power of royal governors in the colonies?

• Their lack of military support

• The distance from Britain and reliance on colonial assemblies

• Their inability to pass laws

• The presence of local militias

What role did colonial assemblies play in the colonies?

• They exercised real political power and represented the colonists

• They managed trade with other colonies

• They served as the king's advisors

• They were responsible for defense