Foundations of Democracy

Foundations of Democracy

By Mary Corrigan

EARLY RELIGION -
Established ideas about virtue, justice, and moral code
Supported idea of community before government systems


EARLY AMERICAN COLONISTS -
Pilgrims sought religious freedom in the "new world"
Idea of certain rights, protections existing outside of government

Religious Influence

ANCIENT GREECE -
Athens first developed the idea of democracy (power to the people)
Country was broken into city-states to create smaller areas of government

ANCIENT ROME -
Due to large size, Rome moved to Representative Democracy (elected representatives to speak for people)
Referendum allowed government to get citizen input

Greek/Roman Influence

Historical Influences

Multiple Choice

Which of the following current government ideas is NOT related to a historical or religious influence?

• The First Amendment to the Constitution allows for religious freedom

• The United States is compromised of 50 states that are allowed to govern inside their borders

• The President has the power to control the United States Military

• Due to the large size of the United States, they elect representatives to speak for them in Congress

Separation of Powers - idea that government power should be split among multiple branches​

Checks and Balances - each branch of government should limit the power of the others​

Montesquieu

Natural Rights - we are all born with certain rights​

Social Contract - we ​sacrifice some rights to live in society​

Consent of the Governed - ​government has power as long as we give it to them

Locke

Enlightenment

These new ideas about government coincided with the frustration being felt by many American colonists

Multiple Choice

What is a common idea that Locke and Montesquieu share about government?

• The ideal government is limited

• Monarchies are stronger than democracies

• The king should be the ultimate authority of government

• Power of government works together when it is held by one

Mayflower Compact (1620) - Pilgrims first self-government in colonies

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Common Sense (1776) - Thomas Paine encouraged colonists to revolt and fight for rights​

Americas

Magna Carta (1215) - nobles limit king's power; due process and habeas corpus

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​English Bill of Rights (1689) - Parliament limits king more; grants individual rights

England

Influential Documents

All four documents helped motivate the idea of "popular sovereignty" - power to the people!

Multiple Choice

How did the English Bill of Rights impact the colonists in the Americas?

• The English Bill of Rights was limited to citizens in England

• It helped establish the foundation of rights which Parliament later violated

• It helped the colonists fall into line under the king's power

• It helped weaken Parliament

• Series of ​taxes and limitations of colonists' rights

• Colonists begain to revolt and protest

• Led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence​

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British Acts/

Colonial Responses

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Multiple Choice

Which of the following was NOT a Colonial Response to the British Acts

• Violence

• Destruction of property

• Embargo and sanctions

• Compromise

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson and ratified by the Second Continental Congress​

​Preamble - introduction; explains why colonists are writing

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Declaration of Rights - "life, liberty, pursuit of happiness"

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Grievances - 27 complaints against King George III

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Resolution of Independence​ - declares colonies free and independent

Considered to be the ultimate "break up letter" with England and establishes United States as an independent country

Multiple Choice

Why was it important for the United States to be recognized as independent?

• They needed other nations to support them and ally with them

• They needed to feel confident in their decision

• They wanted King George to feel guilty

• Being recognized as independent was just a formality