Where and how did our founding fathers get their ideas for our government?

Direct DemocracyRepublicNatural RightsSeparation of

Powers

Ideas for our government came from:Ancient Greece and

RomeEnglish DocumentsEnlightenment

Philosophers

What do you remember about the government of ancient Greece and Rome?

Athenians created the world’s first direct democracyA form of government in which the

laws are made directly by the citizens

Town meetings held to vote

Colonial Legislatures- from Ancient Rome

509 B.C. Roman RepublicGovernment in which

representatives are elected to make laws

Democracy in Athens and Republic in Rome did not last; monarchs took control

Abused PowerGovernment by the people would

disappear for hundreds of years

What ideas did our founding fathers get from ancient Greece and Rome?

How is a direct democracy different from a republic?

The “Great Charter”

Monarch abused his power

English nobles gained power

Nobles forced King John to sign the Magna Carta

Listed rights of people that Monarch could not take away

Trial by jury

Due process of law

Protection of life, liberty, and property

Originally intended only for nobles, but would be extended to all over time

Established the principle that the power of the monarch was NOT absolute

What is the Magna Carta?List three rights it gave people.Why is it important to our

government?

The king could not:

Imprison political criticsDeclare martial lawRequire people to shelter troopsTax without consent of parliament

Parliament wanted to prevent royal abuse of power

Listed rights of all Citizens (not just nobles)

It forbid:Taxation without consent of ParliamentA standing army without consent of ParliamentRoyal suspension of laws

It guaranteed:Right to petitionFree speech in ParliamentRight to a fair and speedy trialFreedom from excessive bailNo cruel and unusual punishment

Write two sentences to summarize the English Bill of Rights.

European writers during 1600 and1700s stated people have the power of reason

People can recognize their natural rights- rights we are born with and can’t be taken away

Representative government

Government exists for the people, not people for the government

Purpose of government is to protect natural rights

Rights of life, liberty, and propertyAny govt. who abuses its power

should NOT be obeyed

Separation of Powers – dividing government power between at least two groups to avoid abuse

Our model:Legislative = makes the lawsExecutive = enforces the lawsJudicial = interprets the lawsNo branch could gain too much power

Geneva, 1712-17781762 - The Social ContractPopular Sovereignty, the “General Will”Exchange Personal freedom for Civil freedomIn obeying the law each citizen is thus subject to his or her own will, and

consequently, according to Rousseau, remains free.

.

“Man is born free, but is everywhere in chains”

Explain Locke’s view of government.

Explain Montesquieu’s idea of separation of powers.