1. Bell Work 9/17
What is the most important aspect of the Scientific Revolution?
It was a challenge of authority.

2. Unlimited & Limited government

3. What is an unlimited government?
When a ruler has complete power of a country and its citizens.
No limit to their power.
Citizens must be obedient.
They have few/no rights

4. Unlimited: Rule by one or few

5. What is a limited government?
A ruler’s power is shared, regulated, or controlled.
Citizens
Parliament
Congress
Judges
The ruler must ask for permission to make certain decision.
Citizens have more freedom and rights.

7. Which government was most common in Europe in the 1600’s & 1700’s?
Unlimited Government
Monarchies
Kings & Queens
France & Russia had the longest running unlimited monarchies

8. Russia
France

9. How did the kings justify their unlimited power?
They said it was their “divine right”
What does “divine right mean?
They were given their power by God.
God can’t be questioned

10. How does this picture represent the “divine right of kings”?
It looks like a “divine hand” (maybe God) is putting on his crown.

11. How did unlimited governments maintain control?
Unlimited monarchies (France and Russia) used 4 common ways to keep power (these power tricks are still used by today’s absolute power seekers):
Limit the rights of citizens
No freedoms
Raise taxes
Raising taxes keeps the leader and military well funded
Get rid of the legislative body
This gets rid of anyone who could put restrictions on, or question, the leaders power
Use military to enforce rules.
This keeps the people powerless to fight against the leader

13. Where did things begin to change?
England
In 1215 the Magna Carta was signed by King John of England.
Many changes were based on this English model of government. The king had to play by the rules.
This foundation would be built on in 1689 when the English Bill of Rights was created.

14. King John signing the Magna Carta
How did the Magna Carta help create limited government?
By creating laws that limited the kings power.

15. How did the English government change?
Constitutional monarchies.
King’s power limited by constitution.
Democracy gave people some say in government.
Voting
Separation of powers created branches of government that share responsibility.
One branch can’t become stronger than another.
Legislative, Executive, Judicial