This column series offers replies to what is published in the current “text books,” which are adopted by the State and school districts.
BY HAMILTON HANSON
Continuing review of the textbook “American Government” published by Savvas Learning Company
The next three pages are 50% text and 50% pictures. The sub-heading is “Three Types of Colonies.” I became particularly interested in this topic because it is almost totally unknown how the colonies – other than Massachusetts Bay (Puritans for religious freedom) – came to be.
Royal Colonies were generally initially established as “trading companies” under a charter from the King – indicating that the colonists were employees of the King and the King reaped all the benefits. As these activities grew (and some failed), the King became more and more restrictive of what a colony might do.
Proprietary Colonies were grants of land under a charter which allowed the proprietor to make governing decisions.
Charter Colonies were broadly granted opportunities for self-government by the white male property owners. Requests for kingly approvals were minimal and sometimes never submitted.
Each sub-topic (in this case 2.1) ends with “Assessment.” In this case #1 was Apply Concepts, #2 was Cite Evidence, #3 was Connect, #4 was Compare and Contrast and #5 was Draw conclusions. Each of these numbered paragraphs gave instructions and questions as to how to fulfill the requirements.
The next two pages were labeled Primary Sources and presented excerpts from The Magna Carta (1215) and the English Bill of Rights (1689), both of which were the initial/founding documents of freedoms for the people under English control and restrictions of the King.
The Magna Carta was the first document to put into writing the principle that the king and his government were not above the law, sought to prevent the king from exploiting his power, and placed limits of royal authority by establishing law as a power in itself.
The English Bill of Rights firmly established the principles of frequent parliament meetings, free elections and freedom of speech within Parliament – known today as Parliamentary Privilege. It also includes no right of taxation without Parliament’s agreement, freedom from government interference, the right of petition and just treatment of people by courts.
“Assessment” for this section includes #1 Determine Author’s Purpose, #2 Cite Evidence and #3 Determine Central Ideas – with pertinent questions to trigger thoughts of students.
