Foundations of Democracy In the United States of America

Early Influences Types of government: Monarchy – rule by inheritance Dictatorship- rule through force Athenian Democracy- direct democracy Colonialism- rule by dominate country Republic- representative democracy Confederation- group loosely associated for a purpose.

Enlightenment European Enlightenment grew from the scientific revolution (16 th -17 th Century) European Enlightenment grew from the scientific revolution (16 th -17 th Century) Also called the ‘Age of Reason’- people begin to apply reason to human nature. Also called the ‘Age of Reason’- people begin to apply reason to human nature. Can solve all human problems through the use of reason. Can solve all human problems through the use of reason.

Enlightenment Thinkers Thomas Hobbes: Thomas Hobbes: Believe in ’state of nature’ Believe in ’state of nature’ Freedom leads to inequality Freedom leads to inequality People basically bad People basically bad Wrote ‘The Leviathan’ Wrote ‘The Leviathan’ “Life in the state of nature is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” “Life in the state of nature is solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short” People give power to a “leviathan state”- absolute monarchy People give power to a “leviathan state”- absolute monarchy

Enlightenment Thinkers John Locke John Locke Believe in ’state of nature’ Believe in ’state of nature’ People basically good People basically good Freedom leads to inequality Freedom leads to inequality People have natural rights to “life, liberty, and property” People have natural rights to “life, liberty, and property” Wrote “Second Treatise of Government” Wrote “Second Treatise of Government” Governments are formed to protect the rights of people Governments are formed to protect the rights of people

Social Contract A governing agreement in which the governed agree to give up some liberty for protections of natural rights by the governing body. A governing agreement in which the governed agree to give up some liberty for protections of natural rights by the governing body. Binding to both parties Binding to both parties Natural rights violations break the contract and allow the governed to set up a new government Natural rights violations break the contract and allow the governed to set up a new government

Enlightenment Thinkers Montesquieu Looked at the government of Great Britain and found three branches Looked at the government of Great Britain and found three branches Decided the best form of democracy was one in which the power was equally distributed. Decided the best form of democracy was one in which the power was equally distributed.

Enlightenment Thinkers Rousseau Rousseau Believe in ’state of nature’ Believe in ’state of nature’ Freedom leads to inequality Freedom leads to inequality People are basically good People are basically good Said government corrupts people Said government corrupts people People need to get back to the ‘state of nature’ People need to get back to the ‘state of nature’

Historical Background Magna Carta English Bill of Rights House of Burgesses French and Indian War Mercantilism

Historical Background Colonialism Townsend Acts Townsend Acts Navigation Acts Navigation Acts Boston Tea Party Boston Tea Party Boston Massacre Boston Massacre Stamp Act Stamp Act Olive Branch Olive Branch

Historical Background 1st Continental Congress 1st Continental Congress Committee of Correspondence Committee of Correspondence American Revolution American Revolution Declaration of Independence Declaration of Independence 2 nd Continental Congress 2 nd Continental Congress Articles of Confederation. Articles of Confederation.

Principles of the Constitution Popular Sovereignty- the people rule. The power of the government is based on the consent of the governed. Popular Sovereignty- the people rule. The power of the government is based on the consent of the governed. Separation of powers- the division of the government into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Separation of powers- the division of the government into three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Principles of the Constitution Checks and Balances- A political system in which branches of government have some authority over the actions of the other branches Checks and Balances- A political system in which branches of government have some authority over the actions of the other branches Limited Government- the idea that government is not all powerful, but can only do what the people allow it to. Limited Government- the idea that government is not all powerful, but can only do what the people allow it to.

Principles of the Constitution Federalism- the division of power between a central government and states Federalism- the division of power between a central government and states National level National level State level State level Local level Local level

Principles of the Constitution Judicial Review- The power of the Supreme Court to determine if a law is Constitutional or unconstitutional Judicial Review- The power of the Supreme Court to determine if a law is Constitutional or unconstitutional