Roots of American Government Chapter 4 Section 2

Looking to Ancient Greece and Rome Athenians created the world’s first direct democracy- a form of government in which laws are made directly by the citizens. Colonist also practiced this form of government by meeting and voting on local issues. In Rome they formed a republic government in which representatives were elected to make laws. Colonists created legislatures which are elected to make laws also.

The English Tradition Roman government was designed to prevent tryanny. However, the Roman type of government was destroyed and disappeared for 100 years. In 1215, England was ruled by the monarchs who had absolute power. The nobles who had gained some power forced King John to sign the Magna Carta. The Magna Carta listed rights that even the English monarch would not have the power to take away.

The English Tradition These rights only applied to the nobles, but it was an advance since it was the first time the monarch’s power was limited. Eventually, these rights were given to all English citizens including colonists.

The English Tradition The Magna Carta opened the door to a representative government in England. By the late 1200’s a legislature called Parliament was esablished in England. Slowly Parliament became more powerful than the monarch. In 1689, Parliament passed the English bill of rights which further limited the power of the monarch.

The English Tradition What were some of the rights that were gained through the English Bill of Rights? Were these rights for the nobles or for all English citizens? These rights protected English citizens against what?

Relying on Reason During the 1600’s and the 1700’s many European philosophers wrote that people have the power of reason, the ability to think clearly. People could use reason to recognize their natural rights. What are natural rights?

Relying on Reason Two philosophers who inspired the colonist were English writer John Locke and French writer Montesquieu. John Locke argued that representative government is the only reasonable kind. He wrote that government exists to serve the people as opposed to having the people serve the government.

John Locke

Relying on Reason Locke also said that the purpose of government is to protect natural rights. What our natural rights? He said that any government that abuses it’s power should not be obeyed.

Relying on Reason Montesquieu proposed that there be a separation of powers. What is separation of powers? What does this form of system protect against?

Montesquieu