The document outlines several important events from the Colonial Period that established principles of limited and representative government in America: 1) The Magna Carta of 1215 established the basis for limited government and protections against unjust punishment and taxes without consent in England. 2) The Virginia House of Burgesses in 1619 was the first legislative assembly and example of representative government in the American colonies. 3) The Mayflower Compact of 1620 was the first example of self-government and democratic process in America as the Pilgrims agreed to choose their own leaders and laws. 4) The Petition of Right of 1628 in England limited the King's powers and prevented taxes, imprisonment, housing of troops

1. The Colonial Period Timeline
Ch. 2, sec. 1

2. 1215- The Magna Carta
 Basis for Limited
Government
 Protection against
unjust punishment
 Cannot have
certain taxes
without popular
consent

3. 1619- Virginia House of
Burgesses
 Law making
assembly in the
colony of Virginia
 First legislature in
America
 First American
example of
representative
government

4. 1620- The Mayflower Compact
 Signed by the
pilgrims who came
over on the
Mayflower
 First American
example of a plan
of self-government
 Pilgrims agreed to
choose on leaders
and make own laws

5. 1628- Petition of Right
 In England, members of Parliament forced
King Charles I to sign the Petition of Right
 Limited the king’s power
 The king could no longer:
 Collect taxes without permission from
Parliament
 Imprison people without just cause
 House troops in private homes without
permission of homeowner
 Declare martial law unless the country was
at war

6. 1636- Great Fundamentals
 Adopted by
the
Massachusetts
Bay Colony
 First basic
system of laws
in the colonies

7. 1639- Fundamental Orders of
Connecticut
 Written for the colony of
Connecticut
 America’s first formal
constitution
 Gave people right to elect the
governor, judges, and
representatives

8. 1688- English Bill of Rights
 Glorious Revolution in England-
Parliament dethroned King James II and
crowned William III and Mary II as the
new King and Queen of England
 Parliament also passed the English Bill
of Rights at this time
 Applied to American colonies and
people in England
 Monarchs do not have absolute
authority- gave parliament more power