1. Unit 2: Foundations of American Government
Part I – Our English Heritage

2. The Magna Carta “The Great Charter”
1215 England
Nobles rebelled against the King and forced him to sign a document that protected their rights

3. The Development of Parliament
Late 1300’s-Present
Started as a advisory group to King then evolved into a representative legislature – a lawmaking body

4. The Development of Parliament
The Glorious Revolution – Parliament removes King James II and puts William and Mary on thrown. Parliament now stronger than King

5. The Ideas of the Enlightenment
1600’s-1700’s
Philosophical movement that believed God had created an orderly universe and that the laws of this universe could be discovered using reason.

6. The English Bill of Rights
1689
Further limited Kings power and increased the rights of the people
Right to:
Free elections
Fair Trial
No cruel and unusual punishment

7. English Common Law Developed over time
Law that rests on previous court decisions (Precedents)
Makes law fair and consistent

8. Philosophers of the Enlightenment

9. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) People could not rule themselves
Give up rights to absolute monarch for fear of a violent death

10. John Locke ( )
Natural Rights – all people are born with basic rights (Life, Liberty, Property)
Social Contract – Relation between government and the people is a contract
People obey laws
Government protects rights
Right to rebel – if the government does not protect rights it is the right of the people to destroy that government

11. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778)
Everywhere gov. is oppressing the people
The only just gov. is one the people create

12. Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)
Gov. needs power but power corrupts
Protect the people by separating the powers of gov. into three branches
Write the laws
Enforce the laws
Interpret the laws

13. Answer the EQ
Using two examples of from your notes on Our English Heritage answer the essential question:
What characteristics of their English heritage influenced the founding fathers in the development of American democracy?