1. We The People
Lesson 1 – What did the Founders think about Constitutional Government?

2. Characteristics of colonial America…
Vast size
Few Native Americans
Diverse backgrounds
Differed in social structure
Few influential families
Slavery practiced
Indentured servants
Various trades

3. HOW did the Founders learn about government?
History
Philosophy
Protestant theology
150 years of local self-government

4. What did the Founders learn about government?
Government is to help citizens perform civic & moral duties
Democracies result in tyranny – class warfare
Natural rights theorists believe gov is to protect rights
Local self-government exist with a central authority
Government should be the servant NOT the master of the people
A fundamental higher law, or constitution, should limit government

5. Forms of Government 3 types of government…..rule of 1, few, many
See chart!
Polity….most like democracy as we define it today
republic….form of government that derives its power from the people, representative institutions

6. Constitution A plan that sets forth the structure & powers of gov
Higher or fundamental law (in US terms)
Can be written or unwritten
Constitutional gov = limited gov (restraints on power as specified by the constitution)

7. Higher law See bullets pg. 9
Different than statutes (laws passed by the legislature)

8. Critical Thinking
Pg 10