1. Foundations of American Government

2. Our American Republic was not created overnight
Our American Republic was not created overnight. It was strongly influenced by Greece & Rome, as well as hundreds of years of British law and tradition.
All of these laid the foundations for what we would later create.

3. Ancient Greece
Thought Question: Based on what you’ve learned in previous classes, how did the Greeks influence America’s government? What did we borrow from them?

4. The Athenians created the first democracy (rule by the people)
All citizens were able to vote on the issues facing the community
Citizenship was limited to FAMVLs
Free Adult Male Veteran Landowners
Like the Greeks, we vote in the U.S. today, though citizenship has broadened over the years

5. Ancient Rome
Thought Question: Based on what you’ve learned in previous classes, how did the Romans influence America’s government? What did we borrow from them?

6. Ancient Rome
The Romans were the first to create a republic, a government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf
We have a republic in the U.S. today
Other elements of Roman government that are part of our government include:
3 Branches of Government To make, enforce, and interpret the laws
Checks and Balances Each branch has power over the other branches
Term limits for elected officials
The Veto

7. Britain’s Government
Despite the influence of Greece and Rome, during the Middle Ages most of Europe was controlled by various monarchies.
Monarchy= Rule by a king or queen
Britain was originally an Absolute Monarchy (government led by an all-powerful king)

8. In the Middle Ages it was governed by Feudalism, a system in which Lords give land to Vassals in exchange for their loyalty and military service
From feudalism came the idea that government was a contract in which both parties had rights and responsibilities

9. Over time, Britain became a Constitutional Monarchy, in which the king’s powers were limited and he had to work with a legislature, or Parliament, to govern the land.

10. What follows are some of the events that brought this change about

11. Magna Carta
The Magna Carta (Great Charter) was a document that forced King John to grant his nobles certain rights after he had royally aggravated them.
It was the first time an English king had ever had his powers limited.
Most of the Magna Carta wouldn’t make much sense to us today, and it only granted rights to the nobles, not to all English citizens. But some of the rights the nobles asked for are part of our constitution today, so that’s why Magna Carta is important to us now.

12. Rights in the Magna Carta
People can’t be thrown in jail w/out being charged for a crime
Right to a fair and speedy trial
Punishments/fines should fit the crime
The church is free from govt. control
Kings have to obey the law, and can be removed by the nobles if they don’t
Kings have to work together with a council
This council eventually became Parliament, which is the lawmaking group that our Congress is based on. Congress must work together with our President

13. The Magna Carta Song
You can’t be thrown in jail, if not charged with a crime
You get a speedy trial, and fair punishments and fines
The church is free from government control, we have no doubt
And if the king won’t keep the law
Then he can be kicked out!
The king must also work with the aristocracy
Who form a council that the Parliament will someday be
Now that you remember that, it’s time to move along
‘Cause that’s the ending of The Magna Carta Song!

14. The Reformation (1521)
The Reformation also had an impact on government in England and other parts of Europe
When Martin Luther broke away from the Catholic Church and began the Lutheran Church, it didn’t take long before many other groups broke away from Catholicism as well.

15. Reformers in England, including King Henry VIII, created the Church of England (Anglican Church)
During the 1600’s there was a lot of conflict between the English Parliament (which contained many Puritans who wished to take the Reformation even further), and the kings of the Stuart dynasty (who were all Catholics from Scotland)
Many Puritans would come to America in hopes of practicing their faith in the way they saw fit

16. Thus, out of The Reformation came a greater belief in spiritual freedom and equality as believers.
This in turn led to a greater desire for political freedom and equality.

17. The Petition of Right (1628)
When King Charles I wanted to raise money for his personal uses, Parliament forced him to sign The Petition of Right, which made it so that taxes could only be raised with the consent of Parliament
They now controlled the King’s purse strings!

18. The Glorious Revolution (1688)
After a nasty civil war and more power struggles between the Throne and Parliament, the members of Parliament invited William & Mary of the Netherlands to take the throne. This bloodless take-over was called the Glorious Revolution.

19. The Catch!
Although William became the new king, he had to accept The English Bill of Rights.

20. The English Bill of Rights (1689)
Put the main power in the hands of Parliament.
Parliament had power to select the monarch, and the king had to obey the law
Reinforced trial by jury
Prohibited cruel & unusual punishment
Allowed citizens to petition the govt.
Right to bear arms for personal defense

21. Eenie, Meenie, Miney, Moe

22. The English Bill of Rights is incredibly important because it contains many of the same ideas found in our own Constitution and Bill of Rights.
When the English settled in America, they brought these ideas with them.

23. THE ENLIGHTENMENT
By the 1700’s, England & America were also being influenced by a movement called The Enlightenment.
The Enlightenment, like the Renaissance and Reformation that has preceded it, questioned the absolute authority of the Monarchy and the Church.
It emphasized science, reason, freedom, and secularism (separation of church and state)
Many of our Founding Fathers, like Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin, were heavily influenced by Enlightenment ideas and philosophers
SUMMARY
The Greeks, Romans, and British all contributed political ideas and systems that American colonists would borrow from and modify when they settled in the future United States.