POLI 2342 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: King James Version, Ancient Constitution Of England, Puritans
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The Ancient Constitution!
this was a way of life for the British, developed over the generations!•
it was in the process of being changed in the 17th century, changes references old ideas!◦
Magna Carta, common law!‣
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rights of Englishmen had been there all along!•
quarrel with the king due to the anger of his neglect for old things!◦
rebellion done in the name of old government, changed british government permanently!•
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first settlements in North America in the early 17th century!•
time of the constitution was 4-5 generations!◦
people saw themselves as subjects, loyal to the crown!‣
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5 Categories to understand political ideas -> Apprenticeship in Liberty!
colonists didn't know they were becoming American citizens!•
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1) religion -> puritan and congregationalism!
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2) Ancient Constitution -> belonged to the English, entitled to government that their ancestors
has achieved!
rules had to follow this outline!◦
foreshadowing affections for the constitution!◦
English felt that there was a right way to have government, merge this idea!‣
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3) de facto self-government -> long distance between the colonies and the homeland!
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4) political conflict in England in the 17th century -> battle between Stewart monarchy and the
clergy!
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5) birth of modern liberalism -> Locke, birth of natural rights, founders knew of this!
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the ancient constitution was carried to the colonies!•
we see elements of this in the charters the settlers brought to the New World!◦
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the King was a central figure!•
the constitution understood monarchy and his importance !◦
James I said the king was godlike and supreme!◦
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kings were often compared to God, the hand of the body, and the father!•
they have the power to destroy, not accountable to anyone!◦
they can do as they please!◦
father -> make subjects beggars or rich, power to execute!•
hand -> direct all members towards the use that the hand sees is convenient!•
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the king's power is universal !•
he had the power of life or death!◦
the subjects also felt this way about him!•
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