The American Colonists

1
The American Colonists

• A voice in government
• Electing representatives to the legislature
• No taxation without representation
• Citizens participate in government through voting
• Citizens have the responsibility to work toward
  the common good
• Value placed on religious freedom and freedom of
  the press (Roger Williams/John Peter Zenger)
• Citizens standing up for their rights

• Principles
• DEMOCRACY
• POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
• INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES
• PROTECTION AGAINST TYRANNY

2
The English

• A documented list of rights that not even the
  government can take away (Magna Carta, 1215
  English Bill of Rights 1689)
• Right to a trial by jury
• Free speech
• Freedom to petition the government

• Principles
• LIMITED GOVERNMENT RULE OF LAW
• PROTECTION AGAINST TYRANNY

3
Ancient Greece and Rome

• Direct and Indirect democracy
• People participate in governing (through voting)
• Elected representatives (republic)
• Term limits
• People and the government work toward the common
  good
• Principles
• DEMOCRACY
• BALANCED GOVERNMENT
• LIMITED GOVERNMENT

4
Enlightenment Philosophers

• John Locke The Social Contract theory
• The people and their government enter into an
  agreement together. Both have responsibilities.
• The purpose of government is protect the natural
  rights of the people
• If the government fails to do so, the people have
  an obligation to change the government
• Baron de Montesquieu separation of powers to
  safe guard against tyranny (creation of three
  branches of government)

• Principles
• POPULAR CONSENT
• POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY
• SEPARATION OF POWERS

5
Declaration of Independence

• Jefferson bases most of his writing on the
  principles of John Lockes Social Contract Theory
• The purpose of government is to protect the
  natural/unalienable rights of the people (life,
  liberty, pursuit of happiness)
• If the government fails to do so, the people
  should change or get rid of their government and
  start a new one
• Popular consent The government gets their power
  from the people and should seek their approval

6
The Articles of Confederation

• Our first national plan of government
• Written by the 2nd Continental Congress in 1777
  takes effect in 1781
• Based on a loose association, or confederation of
  states
• A very weak central govt
• Only has a legislature
• No power to tax
• No power to enforce laws
• No power to regulate foreign trade

PRINCIPLES Protection against tyranny Federalism
a system of government where powers are more
evenly distributed between the state and national
government including some shared powers