The Roots of American Democracy Chapter 3 Essential Question: What ideas gave birth to the world’s first modern democratic nation?

Roots

Religious & Classical Roots Judeo-Christian tradition Said people should make a society based on law. Believed in natural law…universal moral principles of right and wrong. (We simply know what’s right and what’s wrong.) Colonial Americans liked Greece’s direct democracy. It emerged in New England town hall meetings. (see pic next slide) Colonial Americans admired the Roman Republic where representatives were picked.

Fun-Quiz: Greece, Rome, or Home?

Fun-Quiz: Greece, Rome, or Home?

Fun-Quiz: Greece, Rome, or Home?

Fun-Quiz: Greece, Rome, or Home?

Fun-Quiz: Greece, Rome, or Home?

Fun-Quiz: Greece, Rome, or Home?

Fun-Quiz: Greece, Rome, or Home?

English Roots 1215 AD – Magna Carta is written/signed – the king is forced to share power with English nobles. Magna Carta set up rule of law – written law must be followed. 1628 – Petition of Right – written to start limited government. The king’s power was not absolute. 1689 – English Bill of Rights – guaranteed written rights to all.

English & French Enlightenment Roots Enlightenment = intellectual movement of 16 & 1700s Thomas Hobbes – wrote of the social contract John Locke – wrote of natural rights (rights that can’t be removed) like “life, liberty, and property” Baron de Montesquieu – wrote of separation of powers so no one person/group gets too much power Jean-Jacques Rousseau – wrote of the social contract, popular sovereignty (power of the people)

2. Give me 2 bits of evidence for each root. 1. Draw a tree like this. 2. Give me 2 bits of evidence for each root. 3. What’s important about each root? Colonial Views on Government

Colonial America 1619—Jamestown, VA sets up the House of Burgesses—America’s first legislature. 1620—Pilgrims set up the Mayflower Compact. They agree to follow the rules that they will set up. New England town hall meetings. (pic next slide) 1650s, England began to lay taxes on Americans. But, they didn’t enforce these for 100+ years. 1760s, just after the French & Indian War, England cracks down. Americans cry out, “Taxation without representation!” July 4, 1776—The Declaration of Independence is approved.

Declaration of Independence (4 parts) Preamble Get’s the ball rolling. Statement of Natural Rights “…that all men are created equal…” “…unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” List of Grievances Complaints against the king. Statement of Separation “…these united colonies are…free and independent states…”

Constitutional Convention There was agreement. There was much debate. Compromises were made—each side gets/each side gives. Debate over representation Large states’ plan—states get votes in Congress based on state population Small states’ plan—each state gets equal votes in Congress Compromise—we’ll do both. House of Representatives is based on population. Senate is equal (each state gets 2). Last step…ratification (acceptance) required 9 of 13 states. This was hotly debated. The promise of a Bill of Rights sealed ratification.