Foundations of American Government

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Foundations of American Government

• LESSON 1

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The Ancient World Where it all began

• ANCIENT WORLD
• Ancient Greece
• Concept (idea) of democracy created
• Direct democracy System of government where all
  citizens participate

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The Ancient World Where it all began

• Ancient Rome
• Republican government voters have power to
  select representatives
• Indirect democracy representatives work for
  common good of people
• Common law laws written for protection of people
  ? everyone equal in eyes of law

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England Where democracy progressed

• ENGLAND
• Magna Carta (1215)
• Limited power of the King
• Guaranteed trial by jury
• Petition of Rights (1628) Stated basic rights in
  writing
• Model Parliament Bicameral legislature (two
  chambers)
• English Bill of Rights
• Gave people basic rights
• Limited power of the king

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How did the Enlightenment influence democratic
government?

• ENLIGHTENED THINKERS
• John Locke
• Natural rights
• Life
• Liberty
• Property

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How did the Enlightenment influence democratic
government?

1. Social contract ? Consent of the governed
   People agree to form state and give government
   power necessary to protect individual rights

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How did the Enlightenment influence democratic
government?

• Baron de Montesquieu
• Separation of powers government should be
  divided into three branches
• Checks and balances power divided keeps each
  branch from becoming more powerful than the
  others ? power should be a check to power

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How did the Enlightenment influence democratic
government?

• Jean Jacques Rousseau
• The general will guides a free society
• Society most free in a direct democracy

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How did the Enlightenment influence democratic
government?

• Voltaire
• The most popular of the philosophes
• Believed intolerance, prejudice, and superstition
  were evil
• Spoke out in favor of religious freedom and
  freedom of speech