Colonial Government Policy
There is no question that government policies created during the colonial period helped shape the way our government is today. Many policies created are still used till this day. An example would be “Separation of church and state”. That policy lays out some rules against creating religious related laws. The idea was thought up by no other than Thomas Jefferson. Here are some examples where separation of church and state is found in the constitution. Stated, “First Amendment (1791) ( “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”) This amendment protects religious freedom by not allowing an official church for the state. The two key points are the establishment clause as well
as the free exercise clause. Together, these justify the Supreme Court’s use of separation of church and state”. There are many more examples of this law found in the constitution.
Another policy still used today is the 3 branches, and separation of powers. This was a law created to keep an office from gaining too much power. The 3 branches are legislative, judicial, and executive. Each branch serves an important role. Each branch also has different responsibilities. The executive branch includes the president, vice president, and 15 cabinet level departments (departments that deal with certain areas of government, such as transportation, and education). The legislative branch includes the senate, and house representatives which make up the congress. Their job is to pass laws and deal with federal funding. Lastly, the judicial branch includes the supreme courts and lower federal courts. They deal with cases that challenge legislation.
As stated earlier, no office can gain too much power due to the policy of checks and balances. The way checks and balances works is the president's power is checked by the Congress, which can refuse to confirm his appointees, for example, and has the power to impeach, or remove, a president. Congress may pass laws, but the president has the power to veto them (Congress, in turn, may override a veto). And the Supreme Court can rule on the constitutionality of a law, but Congress, with approval from two-thirds of the states, may amend the Constitution.
All of these policies were created in colonial time and are still used. Although only a few of the policies were mentioned, there are many more that originate from colonial times. They are all very important and we are very thankful that they are still in place today.
as the free exercise clause. Together, these justify the Supreme Court’s use of separation of church and state”. There are many more examples of this law found in the constitution.
Another policy still used today is the 3 branches, and separation of powers. This was a law created to keep an office from gaining too much power. The 3 branches are legislative, judicial, and executive. Each branch serves an important role. Each branch also has different responsibilities. The executive branch includes the president, vice president, and 15 cabinet level departments (departments that deal with certain areas of government, such as transportation, and education). The legislative branch includes the senate, and house representatives which make up the congress. Their job is to pass laws and deal with federal funding. Lastly, the judicial branch includes the supreme courts and lower federal courts. They deal with cases that challenge legislation.
As stated earlier, no office can gain too much power due to the policy of checks and balances. The way checks and balances works is the president's power is checked by the Congress, which can refuse to confirm his appointees, for example, and has the power to impeach, or remove, a president. Congress may pass laws, but the president has the power to veto them (Congress, in turn, may override a veto). And the Supreme Court can rule on the constitutionality of a law, but Congress, with approval from two-thirds of the states, may amend the Constitution.
All of these policies were created in colonial time and are still used. Although only a few of the policies were mentioned, there are many more that originate from colonial times. They are all very important and we are very thankful that they are still in place today.