Limited governments

1. Limited Governments

2. Review Most governments in the world were Absolute Monarchies. The rulers had absolute power. Citizens had little to no rights. Freedom was a dream.

3. However Some governments were limited governments. Citizens had rights and a say in government decisions.

4. How did this come about? Changes in Europe in the 1600s-1700s began to affect how people saw the government. The discovery of the Americas, the change in economics, etc led to a new way of seeing things.

5. Magna Carta The first great example of limited government was the Magna Carta . It was an English document, signed in the Middle Ages , that limited the power of the kings. Stated that even the king had to obey the laws

6. Effects of the Magna Carta The Magna Carta established England’s unwritten constitution. A constitution is a set of laws that govern a country. The Bill of Rights added to English government.

7. Signs of Limited Government 1) Creation of a constitution that limited the powers of the ruler 2) Democratic principles guiding culture so people get a say in government 3) Separation of powers between: Legislature Executive Judicial Branches