1. Mr. Gordon
Chapter 2 Section 1

2. Roots of American Democracy
Main Idea American democracy was shaped by our English political heritage, colonial experiments in self-government, and a range of intellectual influences.

3. English Political Heritage
Colonial government would never be an exact copy of the British system. Colonial leaders adapted old ideas, based on English traditions, to a new environment.

4. English Political Heritage
Representative Government
Tradition began in 11th century.
Evolved into bicameral, or two-chamber, legislature
Nobles comprised Upper House.
Local representatives participated in House of Commons.

5. Bicameral

6. English Political Heritage
Limited Government
Began in 1215 when King John signed Magna Carta
Moved from rule of man to rule of law
Outlined individual rights which king could not violate
Included taxation and trial provisions

7. Magna Carta

8. Magna Carta

10. English Political Heritage
Individual Rights
1628: King Charles required to sign Petition of Right
Required monarchs to obtain Parliamentary approval before levying new taxes, also could not unlawfully imprison people or establish military rule during times of peace

11. English Political Heritage
Extended conflict between Charles and Parliament erupted into civil war in 1642.
Charles defeated, beheaded

12. English Political Heritage
1685: renewed conflicts and rebellion between the Crown and Parliament
1689: William and Mary chosen to rule, but had to govern according to statutes of Parliament

14. English Political Heritage
1689: English Bill of Rights passed
Free speech and protection from cruel and unusual punishment guaranteed
Glorious Revolution established constitutional monarchy.

16. Roots of American Democracy

17. English Colonies
English colonists began to settle parts of North America in the early 1600s, bringing English political theories and methods of governance.

18. English Colonies Experiments in Early Governance
Jamestown’s House of Burgesses, 1619
Mayflower Compact, 1620
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639
Massachusetts Body of Liberties, 1641
Each charter guaranteed colonists the “rights of Englishmen.”

19. English Colonies Types of English Colonies Three types established
Proprietary, based on land grant to individual or group

20. English Colonies Types of English Colonies
Royal colonies, directly controlled by king through appointed governor

21. English Colonies Types of English Colonies
Charter colonies, operated under charters agreed to by colony and king; had most independence from the Crown

24. Intellectual Influences
In addition to English traditions, ideas were key to transforming loyal English colonists first into revolutionaries and then into founders of a new nation.

25. Intellectual Influences
Republicanism
Idea of representative government going back to Greece and Rome
Highly values citizen participation, public good, civic virtue
Influences included Aristotle, Machiavelli, de Montesquieu, others

27. Intellectual Influences
Judeo-Christian Influences
Religious heritage common to both Christianity and Judaism
Law and individual rights of divine origin

28. Intellectual Influences
Enlightenment Thinkers
Enlightenment—Intellectual movement in 18th century Europe
Classical liberal concerns addressed in Enlightenment

29. Intellectual Influences
Enlightenment Thinkers
Framers of U.S. Constitution believed in people’s natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
Social contract—People form a government to protect their rights
Philosophers John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau important contributors

30. Intellectual Influences
Enlightenment Thinkers
Economic and civil liberties important as well
Other influences included Adam Smith, Voltaire, William Blackstone.