1. Ideas Behind the Constitution
Part 1 – pg 126

2. Pg 126
Ancient Rome
Republic: a gov’t in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives
Modeled after ancient Roman Republic

3. Pg 126
Founders however, wanted to make sure America did not collapse like Rome did
Rome eventually became a dictatorship
A gov’t in which one person or a small group holds complete authority
The founders tried to make sure that we had a system in which informed, independent citizens played an active role in their own gov’t

4. Two Historic Documents
Pg 126
Two Historic Documents
Two documents created an English tradition if liberty, brought to America by colonists
Magna Carta: British nobles forced King John to sign in 1215
Bill of Rights: William and Mary issued in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution

5. Pg 126 Citizens have rights which the gov’t must protect
Even head of gov’t must obey laws
Taxes can’t be raised without consent of citizens
Elections should be held frequently
People accused of crimes have right to trial by jury and habeas corpus
Habeas Corpus: meaning no person may be held in prison without being charged with a specific crime
People have the right to private property

6. Teaching of the Enlightenment
Pg 127
Teaching of the Enlightenment
Framers were influenced by the works of European Enlightenment thinkers
John Locke believed every individual has natural rights to life, liberty, and property and that if a ruler violates these rights, the people have a right to rebel

7. Baron de Montesquieu suggested separation of powers
Pg 127
Baron de Montesquieu suggested separation of powers
The idea that powers of gov’t must be clearly defined and divided into legislative, executive, and judicial branches
So that no one person or group has too much power

8. Representative Traditions and the Declaration of Independence
Pg 127
Representative Traditions and the Declaration of Independence
Americans enjoyed a long tradition of representative gov’t
The Virginia colonists set up the House of Burgesses
Pilgrims drafted the Mayflower Compact in 1620
First document of self-gov’t in North America

9. Pg 127
Each of the 13 colonies had a written charter that identified the powers and limit of gov’t
Framers also drew on grievances listed by Thomas Jefferson against George III in the Declaration of Independence