1. Creating the Constitution
Foundations of American Government

2. 5 Basic Concepts of Democracy
*Worth of the Individual
*When individuals are forced to do something they don’t want to do, it is usually done to serve the interests of many
*Equality of all persons
*All People guaranteed equality OF OPPORTUNITY WITHIN THE LAW
No one held back because of
RACE
RELIGION
COLOR
GENDER

3. *Necessity of Compromise
*Essential to democracy because:
If citizens are equal, there has to be compromise
More than 2 sides to an issue
*Individual Freedom
*Democracy cannot guarantee complete freedom
Freedom of all overrule complete freedom
“The right to swing my fist ends when the other man’s nose begins.” Oliver Wendell Holmes

4. 5. *Majority Rule, Minority Rights
*Majority rule: the only tool democracy has to ensure the well being of people
Majority will be right more often than they are wrong
*Majority must always recognize the right of minority to become the MAJORITY

5. POLITICAL BEGINNINGS
Chapter 2, Section 1

6. *Major Ideas We “Stole” from England
*Ordered Government
*Way to regulate relationships with one another
Some “offices” we stole:
Sheriff
Coroner
Justice of the Peace
Grand jury
County system (Denver County, Jefferson County)

7. *Representative Government
*Limited Government
*Government is NOT all powerful
Individual has certain rights
Government can’t take away these rights
*Representative Government
*Gov’t should serve will of the people
People should have a voice

8. *Landmark English Documents
*Magna Carta
*Created in 1215 by King John
Trial by Jury
Due process
Power of monarchy not absolute
*Petition of Right
*Created in 1628 by Charles I
King can’t punish, must have jury of peers
No martial law in time of peace
Can’t house troops
King must obey law

9. *English Bill of Rights
*Created by William and Mary of Orange
No standing army in peace time
Free elections
Fair trial: no excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishment
Gov’t must follow all laws

10. Exit Ticket
Majority must always recognize the right of minority to become the MAJORITY.
QUICK WRITE: What do you think this means? Can you think of an example in U.S. History (or current news) that illustrates this?