1. Activity Directions Online- Look up the lyrics to your song.
Read through the lyrics (and/ or listen to the song) and make note of any phrases that represent an Enlightenment idea. Write them down.
Then decide on which Thinker the song best represents.
We will share/ present!

2. Heritage of American Government
Where did the US get its ideas about government?

3. Many of the Rights Americans enjoy today can be traced back to the 1600’s to the cultural and philosophical movement called Enlightenment.

4. Early Governments
Monarchs throughout Europe, especially England, had absolute power
Nobles in England rebelled against King John because they had no rights
King John signed the Magna Carta (Great Charter)
document that protected the nobles privileges
granted certain rights to nobles
First document to limit the king’s power

5. Magna Carta

6. Early Governments continued…
Over time….
Parliament- King, nobles , church officials working together to make laws
Legislature- lawmaking body in government
Glorious Revolution- power struggle in England that resulted in Parliament having the more power than the king
English Bill of Rights (1689)- further restricted the king’s power; granted rights- free elections, fair trials, eliminated cruel punishments

7. The Enlightenment Thinkers
Montesquieu – a French philosopher
Powers of Gov’t should be separated & power should be balanced
Each branch should check the others to ensure no one branch is too powerful

8. The Enlightenment Thinkers continued…
John Locke – English philosopher, wrote Second Treatise of Government
Purpose of government is to protect people’s natural rights
Natural Rights- a right you have because you are human; LIFE, LIBERTY, PROPERTY
No Absolute Power for Kings

9. The Enlightenment Thinkers continued…
Thomas Hobbes- English philosopher
Social Contract Theory (the consent of the governed)- People agree to give up some freedom in exchange for protection and security; people agree to obey the laws created by the government

10. Other Influences on US Government
The US has a Representative Democracy or a Democratic Republic form of government
Ancient Rome- “the Roman Republic”
Ancient Greece- democracy