Ideas Behind the Constitution Part 1 – pg 126

Pg 126 Ancient Rome Republic: a gov’t in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives Modeled after ancient Roman Republic

Pg 126 Founders however, wanted to make sure America did not collapse like Rome did Rome eventually became a dictatorship A gov’t in which one person or a small group holds complete authority The founders tried to make sure that we had a system in which informed, independent citizens played an active role in their own gov’t

Two Historic Documents Pg 126 Two Historic Documents Two documents created an English tradition if liberty, brought to America by colonists Magna Carta: British nobles forced King John to sign in 1215 Bill of Rights: William and Mary issued in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution

Pg 126 Citizens have rights which the gov’t must protect Even head of gov’t must obey laws Taxes can’t be raised without consent of citizens Elections should be held frequently People accused of crimes have right to trial by jury and habeas corpus Habeas Corpus: meaning no person may be held in prison without being charged with a specific crime People have the right to private property

Teaching of the Enlightenment Pg 127 Teaching of the Enlightenment Framers were influenced by the works of European Enlightenment thinkers John Locke believed every individual has natural rights to life, liberty, and property and that if a ruler violates these rights, the people have a right to rebel

Baron de Montesquieu suggested separation of powers Pg 127 Baron de Montesquieu suggested separation of powers The idea that powers of gov’t must be clearly defined and divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches So that no one person or group has too much power

Representative Traditions and the Declaration of Independence Pg 127 Representative Traditions and the Declaration of Independence Americans enjoyed a long tradition of representative gov’t The Virginia colonists set up the House of Burgesses Pilgrims drafted the Mayflower Compact in 1620 First document of self-gov’t in North America

Pg 127 Each of the 13 colonies had a written charter that identified the powers and limit of gov’t Framers also drew on grievances listed by Thomas Jefferson against George III in the Declaration of Independence