Colonial Government

Magna Carta

1215 document that limited powers of English king

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

First constitution in the colonies

House of Burgesses

First representative legislature in the colonies

William Penn

Founded Pennsylvania for Quakers; allowed diversity and minority rights in charter

Baron Charles de Montesquieu

French philosopher who suggested separate branches of government; influenced U.S. Constitution

Distance from Great Britain, tradition and leaving colonies alone

The need for representative governments?

John Locke

English philosopher; wrote about "natural rights" to life, liberty, and property; influenced Declaration of Independence

English Bill of Rights

Established freedoms for English citizens

Mayflower Compact

self-governing rules