English influence on American democratic-republic ideals

Democratic/Republic Ideas Americas most important early import from England.

Niccolo Machiavelli 1469 – 1527 Lived in Italy He believed a monarchy was the best way to have a government with one person or group with the power.

Thomas Hobbes 1588 – 1679 Thomas Hobbes believed people need government for protection and that a strong government with protection will gain the confidence and support of the people. Without government there would be conflict and war.

John Locke (The Key to democracy) Belief in everyone having natural rights: Life, Liberty and Property People should have the right to be part of selecting their government as well as get rid of it if they are not happy.

Locke ideas show up in American Government Unalienable rights- Rights that cannot be taken away from anyone. For example: Freedom of Speech Equal Rights- The belief that all persons, regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, age, etc., have the same rights as everyone else. Limited Government- A government does not have absolute authority. Consent of the Governed- The political theory that governments gain their authority from the people.

June, 1989-Tiananmen Square “Whensoever…the government shall… put into the hands of any other absolute power over the lives, liberty and estates of the people, by this breach of trust they forfeit the power of the people… who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the establishment of the new government provide for their own safety and security.” John Locke

Flag with Male Symbol by Dave Cutler “The old are apt to lead men into mistakes, as this idea of fatherly power’s probably has done, which seems so eager to place the power of parents over their children wholly in the father, as if the mother has no share in it. Whereas if we consult reason…, we shall find she has an equal title.”

The problem we all live with by Norman Rockwell “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which treats everyone equally…Being equal and independent, not one ought to harm another in his life, health, or possessions.” John Locke

The Magna Carta (The great charter), 1215 Established the principle that the power of the monarchy was not absolute. Included trial by jury, due process, protection against arbitrary taking of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Petition of Right Limited the King’s power by demanding that the King not imprison political critics without trial by jury, not declare martial law (rule by military), and that no man be compelled to make or yield any gift, loan, tax…without consent of the people.

English Bill of Rights Severely limited the power of the monarchy.

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