1-3 Origins of US Government

Origins of the US Government

Ancient Principles

• Israel
○ While Thomas Jefferson studied political philosophy he discovered that the
__________ had practiced the __________ and ______________ form of
__________________________________.
○ Jefferson saw that ________ was failing as a leader when he acted as the
“_______” of the people.
○ Instead, Moses created a “______________” where the power to govern was
divided in an efficient _____________ manner.
Mo
se s
Fa m

Ruler’s Law to People’s Law

i li e
s

Individuals

○ As referenced in Exodus 18, Moses attempted to settle many of the people’s

issues himself. As a result, he could ___ be an effective ______.
○ Our Founders also believed that a very basic code of _______________ was
fundamental to sustain People’s Law. (Franklin quote)

• Anglo-Saxons
○ Jefferson noted that early _______________ culture imitated the Israelites
“ancient principles.”
○ Anglo-Saxons were ________, organized in groups of ten, fifty, one hundred,
and one thousand. Each group was responsible to the one above.
○ They also employed ______________.
Laws protected the ______________ and _________ were required to hear
petitions of the aggrieved.
English Heritage The noun “England” is derived from “Anglo-land” or “Engle-land”
Laws protected __________________ against trespassing.
○ The “wisest and most perfect ever”?? …according to T Jefferson (quote)
 1-3 Origins of US Government
○ The English Constitution is made up of ______, ___________________, and
____________________. England has _______________________.
• Promotes the idea of ____________ Government – power is no longer held by an
absolute ruler.
• The ______________ (1215) was the first document to offer limited government.
○ The Magna Carta is an example of a ______________: where _________ are
held under the same _______. (_____________ monarchy 
________________ Monarchy)
○ A “rule of law” should always act in the interests of the _____________.
• King Charles I signed the __________________ (1628).
○ Three Important rights granted by the Petition of Right were:
 ________________________________________
 Could not force people to _______________________________
 Could not establish ___________________________________
○ After the Glorious Revolution (1688) Parliament forced William and Mary to
sign the _________________. The rights granted here included:
 People could ___________ the crown without ___________________.
 Only _____________ had the right to _______________________.
• English ___________ evolved into a formal institution of government.
○ Two houses of Parliament: ______________
 The two houses are:
• House of _________ House of _______________
English Law comes to America

• The first permanent English colony was ______________, Virginia (1607).

○ A monarch would give settlers a _______ to grant permission to create a colony.
○ Charters were designed to avoid _________.
• Colonies’ structure of government ___________ that found in England.
○ Monarch  Governor (appointed)
○ Councils  House of Lords (appointed)
○ Parliament  House of Commons (elected)
1-3 Origins of US Government
• This system is reflected (though not exactly) in the American office of ____________
and representation in _____________ (the Senate and House of Representatives, both
of which are elected).