Creating the Constitution Foundations of American Government

5 Basic Concepts of Democracy *Worth of the Individual *When individuals are forced to do something they don’t want to do, it is usually done to serve the interests of many *Equality of all persons *All People guaranteed equality OF OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE LAW No one held back because of RACE RELIGION COLOR GENDER

*Necessity of Compromise *Essential to democracy because: If citizens are equal, there has to be compromise More than 2 sides to an issue *Individual Freedom *Democracy cannot guarantee complete freedom Freedom of all overrule complete freedom “The right to swing my fist ends when the other man’s nose begins.” Oliver Wendell Holmes

5. *Majority Rule, Minority Rights *Majority rule: the only tool democracy has to ensure the well being of people Majority will be right more often than they are wrong *Majority must always recognize the right of minority to become the MAJORITY

POLITICAL BEGINNINGS Chapter 2, Section 1

*Major Ideas We “Stole” from England *Ordered Government *Way to regulate relationships with one another Some “offices” we stole: Sheriff Coroner Justice of the Peace Grand jury County system (Denver County, Jefferson County)

*Representative Government *Limited Government *Government is NOT all powerful Individual has certain rights Government can’t take away these rights *Representative Government *Gov’t should serve will of the people People should have a voice

*Landmark English Documents *Magna Carta *Created in 1215 by King John Trial by Jury Due process Power of monarchy not absolute *Petition of Right *Created in 1628 by Charles I King can’t punish, must have jury of peers No martial law in time of peace Can’t house troops King must obey law

*English Bill of Rights *Created 1688-1689 by William and Mary of Orange No standing army in peace time Free elections Fair trial: no excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishment Gov’t must follow all laws

Exit Ticket Majority must always recognize the right of minority to become the MAJORITY. QUICK WRITE: What do you think this means? Can you think of an example in U.S. History (or current news) that illustrates this?