Chapter 2 Roots of American Democracy

2.1 Our English Heritage

What Influenced Colonial Government? Many of the rights that American citizens enjoy today can be traced to the cultural movement called THE ENLIGHTENMENT

What Influenced Colonial Government? The Enlightenment A cultural, social, political, and economic movement in the 1600s that spread the idea that science and reason could improve society

The Enlightenment John Locke (1634-1704) Natural Rights – freedoms people posses relating to life, liberty, and property. No government can take them away

The Enlightenment Jean- Jacques Rousseau (1712 - 1778) Social Contract – an agreement among the people in a society in which people agree to give up part of their freedom to the government in exchange for protection of their natural rights.

The Enlightenment Baron de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755) Separation of power- idea of dividing up the branches of government into different parts to balance each other so that no single one can become more powerful.

The Enlightenment The ideas of the Social Contract, Natural Rights, and the Separation of Power become the cornerstone of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Big Question Enlightenment thinkers believed that God created an orderly Universe. The laws of this universe could be discovered through the use of human reason and experimentation. So they argued that the laws that governed nature could also be applied to human life and society.

What did they have in England Monarch- a king or Queen Magna Carta- legal document that protected the rights of nobles, guaranteed equal treatment under the law, and limited the power of the King Parliament- legislature, or law making body English Bill of Rights-

What did they have in England English Common Law System of law that is regulated by court decisions rather than regulations written by law makers Precedent- a ruling in a earlier court case.

Colonial Traditions of Self Government Colony – a group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country somewhere else. The first permanent English Colony in America was Jamestown (Virginia) in 1607 Colonists were expected to remain loyal subjects of England

Colonial Traditions of Self Government Jamestown was organized as a joint stock company. – which provided investors partial ownership and a share in future profits.

Colonial Traditions of Self Government The Mayflower Compact In 1620 the Pilgrims arrive in America. They establish Plymouth Massachusetts. Before the mayflower even lands they create a a written plan of government to establish rules for governing themselves

Colonial Traditions of Self Government The Mayflower Compact Establishes a tradition of direct democracy Hold town meetings to express problems Anyone could attend, only landowners could vote

Colonial Traditions of Self Government Due to the success of the Plymouth colony, many more settlement begin to arrive By 1733, the 13 colonies are established Each colony has its own government, elected governor and legislature made up of elected free adult males.

2.2. The English Colonies

Why did Colonists immigrate Many were religious dissenters Those who followed a faith other than the official religion of England

Why did Colonists immigrate Called themselves Puritans Wanted to reform, or Purify the Church of England

Why did Colonists immigrate Did not believe in toleration, or acceptance of other religions Salem witch trials of the 1600’s

Economic Opportunities Many wanted to grow crops. Tobacco, rice, and indigo (blue dye)

Economic Opportunities Indentured Servants- workers who contracted with American colonists for food & shelter in America in exchange for their labor

Economic Opportunities With the creation of the Plantation System, or large farm estate, many things began to change A growing need for cheap labor The used of forced labor of Africans began to be used more than Indentured Servants. Soon laws were adopted to grant rights to Indentured servants, not slaves

Economic Opportunities Soon the creation of the Triangular trade would great affect the cultures of both hemisphere of the world like never before. Pattern of trade that developed in colonial times between America, Europe, and England

How did the Enlightenment begin to change the idea of Government?

Vocab terms Monarch- a king or Queen Parliament- legislature, or law making body

Tug of War of Power King vs. the People

For a Long time.. The king held all the power. He was believed to be chosen by God. Divine Right of Kings

But then things began to change As people began to see corruption within the Crown and the Church they began to question their Legitimate power and demand a voice in Government. Enter the Magna Carta

1215 Magna Carta Limits the power of the king Lays the basis for due process of law (Trial by Jury) Prohibiting the king from taking property or taxes without consent of the Great Council (Property Rights)

But that was not enough.. The enlightened ideas of Natural Rights, Separation of Powers, and the Social Contract begin to completely change the way that people viewed the powers of government and their individual rights

The people demanded an end to the oppressive royal power in England and insisted on further protection of rights.

1689 English bill of Rights Clearly established that the monarchy (king) could not rule without consent of Parliament (Constitutional Monarchy)

1689 English bill of Rights Guaranteeing free elections Giving English people the right to complain to the king or queen in Parliament (Free Speech) Forbidding excessive fines and cruel punishment Establishing representative government with laws made by a group that acts for the people

Now as England begins to head West… As the pilgrims sail to America they face a very important question… Ahhmm so ..When we get there, who is going to be in control

The Mayflower Compact In 1620 the Pilgrims arrive in America. They establish Plymouth Massachusetts. Before the mayflower even lands they create a a written plan of government to establish rules for governing themselves

The Mayflower Compact Establishes a tradition of direct democracy Hold town meetings to express problems Anyone could attend, only landowners could vote

So how long will this last??

2.4 Principles Underlying the Constitution

The Constitution is the SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND

1. Popular Sovereignty The idea that power lies with the people Consent of the Governed How is power held Elections Representative Democracy- we vote for leaders who “represent our views” in Government

2. Rule of Law The Countries laws apply to EVERYONE, even those who govern. Problem- hard to create a government with enough power to rule, yet not strong enough to control

“In Framing a Government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this; you must first enable the government to control the governed and in the next oblige it to control itself”

3.Seperation of Powers To protect against abuse of power our Government is divided into three separate branches, each of which has a different role and responsibility Legislative(Congress)- creates laws Executive (President) –Enforces Laws Judicial (Courts) – Interprets Laws

4. Checks and Balances Each branch of Government is able to check, or limit, the power of another

5. Federalism A form of Government in which power is divided between the Federal, or national, government and the states.

5. Federalism 3 types of Powers Expressed (enumerated) - powers Congress has that are specifically listed in the Constitution Reserved – Powers that the Constitution does not give to the National Government, but are kept by the States Concurrent- Powers shared by the State and Federal Government