Why did the founders believe that people needed a government?
Why do people create governments? What purpose do they serve? HOTS questions Why do people create governments? What purpose do they serve? Where did the U.S. get its ideas about government?
consent of the governed social contract liberty state of nature life Terms to understand consent natural rights consent of the governed social contract liberty state of nature life property
Founders’ beliefs about rights The Founders believed that people had natural rights Life, liberty, and property All persons have natural rights Everyone is born with these rights
Life – Right to live without fear of being injured or killed by others Natural rights Life – Right to live without fear of being injured or killed by others Liberty – Right to be free Property – Right to own things
They found inspiration on John Locke’s writings Protecting the rights It was not an easy task The Founders developed a plan to protect their rights and the rights of others They found inspiration on John Locke’s writings
Locke suggested fair type of government John locke Englishman / 1632-1704 Locke suggested fair type of government “The people agree to give their freedoms, but only if the government agrees to protects everyone’s rights”.
Some people may try to take away other’s people’s rights Locke’s reasoning Some people may try to take away other’s people’s rights (Social Darwinism)
People would have natural rights, but their rights would not be safe Locke’s reasoning People would have natural rights, but their rights would not be safe
Founders believed we needed a government Locke suggested to make a “social contract” A social contract is an agreement among the people to create a government Give up something to receive something in return
Founders believed we needed a government The people give up their freedom to create a government and laws “Consent of the governed” means that people consent to obey the laws and government E.g. speed limit / ticket / police