1. Roots of Democracy

2. Democracy is... A system of government in which citizens: Vote for their leaders Have specific rights and responsibilities

3. Democracy came from many sources:

4. The ancient Greeks : “Civic virtue” Habits and characteristics that people posses that are important to the success of the community. Religion & virtue helped the growth of representative government in the colonies because religious groups were self-governed.

5. The ancient Romans : Developed the “rule of law” common to all citizens throughout the empire Developed advanced forms of representative government, before evolving in to a dictatorship.

6. The Bible: Hebrew prophets developed the idea of all people being equal, created in the image of God. The idea caring for the weaker members of society.

7. The Ancient World VOTING LAWS Greeks voted for their leaders Romans said people have to follow laws The Bible says that all people are created equal in eyes of God and the stronger need to take care of the weaker

8. The Magna Carta - 1215 First step toward LIMITED GOVERNMENT British Document Limited the power of the King

9. House of Burgesses - 1619 1 st REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY *Founded at Jamestown *First representative body in the English colonies *Representatives began to enact laws and protected the colonists’ individual rights. *Served as a model for other colonies

10. Mayflower Compact - 1620 Majority Rule Signed by the Puritans and Pilgrims Agree to form a political body to enact laws for the “good of the colony” Established self-government Elect leaders

11. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut - 1639 LIMITED GOVERNMENT 1 st written Constitution in the colonies Powers not given to colony, given to towns Similar to Federalism

12. English Bill of Rights - 1689 Individual Rights Made Parliament stronger than the King Protected rights to trial by jury Outlawed cruel and unusual punishment