Colonists Build Self-Government
Explain how the Magna Carta, English Parliament, and colonial assemblies established the tradition of representative self-government that shaped American democracy in Grade 8 history.
Key Concepts
Colonists in America believed they had the same rights as people in England. An important English document, the Magna Carta , established the principle of protected rights and limited the power of a ruler. This idea that government power was not absolute traveled with settlers across the Atlantic.
Following the English model, colonists created their own local assemblies. This was a form of representative government , where elected officials made local laws and set taxes. This experience strengthened the colonists' belief in self government , the idea that they had the right to rule themselves.
Common Questions
How did the Magna Carta influence colonial self-government?
The Magna Carta established that rulers must respect citizens' rights, a principle colonists claimed gave them the right to govern themselves through their own assemblies.
What was the Virginia House of Burgesses?
The Virginia House of Burgesses, established in 1619, was the first elected legislature in the Americas, creating a precedent for representative government in the colonies.
How did colonial assemblies prepare Americans for independence?
Through colonial assemblies, Americans gained experience making laws and governing themselves for over 150 years before independence, making self-government feel natural and expected.