1. American Government Influences Chapter 2, Section 1

2. American Government Influences Magna CartaParliament Common Law Philosophical Influences

3. Magna Carta From England Nobles forced King James to sign in 1215 Limited the power of the King/Queen –Now the King/Queen is not above the law Gave rights to the English People

4. Parliament From England Name of the English legislature –Like the US’s Congress Parliament is stronger than the King/Queen English Bill of Rights- Limited the King/Queen even more, gave elections to Parliament, and gave citizens the right to a fair trial and no cruel punishment

5. Common Law From various parts of the world System of law in which rules are not written but passed down by generation Courts and Judges made decisions by earlier court decisions rather than written rules

6. Philosophical Influences From England and France John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau- stated people were born free and equal and came up with the idea of the Social Contract and Natural Rights Baron de Montesquieu- came up with the idea of separation of powers to balance the 3 branches of government

7. Concepts of American Democracy Legislature- law making body Precedent- ruling in an earlier case Natural Rights- life, liberty, and property –(Guaranteed to everyone) Social Contract- must give up some freedoms to government in exchange for protection Popular Sovereignty- government by the consent (approval) of the governed (people)