Changing Society in Colonial America Striving for Liberty and Equality

Changing Society in Colonial America

Striving for Liberty and Equality

Changes in England Set the Stage

Magna Carta (1215) – signed by King John to give more rights to English aristocracy (helped balance king’s royal power in government)

Colonists used this in the 1700s to back their argument of no taxation without prior approval by Parliament


Petition of Right (1628) – attempt by Parliament to declare some of King Charles I’s acts unconstitutional (quartering soldiers in private homes, taxation without Parliament’s approval, martial law, sending citizens to jail unfairly)

Colonists later used many of these arguments to defend their desired break with England


Petition of Right (1628) – continued

Went against divine right of kings and set the stage for law of the land being above the king’s desires

King Charles I refused this so he was executed in 1649


English Bill of Rights (1689) – identified some rights and liberties as undeniable to the people

Gave all citizens the right to petition

Also limited king’s powers of taxation and keeping an army

Colonists would also later claim these rights as English citizens

Colonial America in the 1700s

Mirrored English society in many ways:

- royal governors had more power than in the past

- “levels” or “classes” of society became more clear

- rules of English law were followed more closely

- upper ruling class (both socially and politically) came into being


Why did these changes in society happen?

- trade across the ocean

- increased demand for rice and tobacco

- land was easy to obtain


How did colonial America compare to England?

- colonial elite generally had less money

- source of power/money was not as stable as in England so ruling class tended to fluctuate

- Colonial ruling class still tended to mimic

English customs, manners, and government

Growing Pains

Colonists began to assert their desire for liberty and equal rights

Began to rebel against what they considered tyrannical acts and lesser treatment from the King and Parliament (often used prior acts from England – Magna Carta, Petition of Right, English Bill of Rights, etc.)

William Cosby vs. John Peter Zenger

Cosby was royal governor of New York

Zenger was a German immigrant who had been set up as publisher of New York Weekly Journal by those who were against Cosby


Lewis Morris (opponent of Cosby) was removed from office of Chief Justice by Cosby

New York Weekly Journal published anonymous articles that criticized Cosby’s firing of Morris


Cosby charged Zenger with “seditious libel” (defaming, embarrassing, or challenging the government)

Under English law, only needed to establish whether or not the communication was made public in order to be convicted; truth did not matter!


Zenger’s lawyer, Andrew Hamilton persuaded the jury that what Zenger had printed was truthful and, therefore, could not be libel

Helped establish freedom of the press

Massachusetts Body of Liberties (1641)

First protection of free speech in America

Established speedy trial by jury and right to legal representation

Set up bail and denied cruel and unusual punishments

Documents

Changing Society in Colonial America Striving for Liberty and Equality