The Roots of American Government

Major Principles of Government Popular Sovereignty Rule of Law Separation of Powers Checks & Balances

Federalism Expressed Powers Reserved Powers Concurrent Powers

Foundations of Rights Magna Carta (1215) English Bill of Rights (1689) Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) Bill of Rights (1791)

RIGHTS & FREEDOMS Magna Carta 1215 English Bill of Rights 1689 Virginia Declaration of Rights 1776 Bill of Rights 1791 Trial by Jury X XXX Due Process XXXX Private Property XXX No Unreasonable Search & Seizure XXX No Cruel Punishment XXXX No excessive bail or fines XXX Right to bear arms XX Right to Petition XX Freedom of Speech X Freedom of Press XX Freedom of Religion XX

City-state Governments Power shift to class of noble landowners and warriors who could afford own bronze weapons and chariots -- aristocracy At first polis was ruled by kings -- monarchy Trade expansion led to a new middle class of wealthy merchants, farmers, and artisans— they challenged landholding elites for power and came to dominate the city-state -- oligarchy Continue unrest leads to reforms that gave foreigners and other citizens more say in government, which will result in a government by the people, democracy, especially in Athens Bad times will allow tyrants to rise to and obtain absolute power with the support of the people, but some will abuse their powers allowing democracy to gain more support.

Athens Located on Attica Government  At first were ruled by an aristocracy  People were unhappy, want more power, resent nobles >> result >> movement toward democracy

Reforms toward Democracy Draco -- wrote 1 st Greek legal code  Draconian Laws – not work – address business/property issues; began debt slavery Solon (549 BCE) Appointed archon (chief official) – freedom to make any reforms necessary to fix problems  Outlaw debt slavery, freed those sold into slavery for debt  Granted citizenship to foreigners  Encourage export of wine and olive oil Reforms helped some but not all, still widespread unrest which led to the rise of tyrants – absolute ruler who gained power by force

Pisistratus (546 BCE) Helped farmers by giving them loans and land taken from nobles Established building projects to give jobs to poor, this gave them a larger voice in gov. and further weakening the aristocracy

Cleisthenes (507 BCE) Established Council of 500 – members chosen from among citizens  Divide Athens into 10 tribes  Each tribe elect 50 men to serve in council  Breaks up power of nobility Council prepared laws for the Assembly Established the Assembly as a true legislature (law making body) Result: Direct Democracy in which the people control gov.

Roman Republic What is a republic?republic ~509 BCE Roman drove out Etruscans Establish a republic to prevent any one person from gaining too much power – new gov. Senate – 300 members – Patricians, serve for life – Issue decrees and interpret laws Consuls (2) – Elected by senators to supervise gov. and armies – 1 yr terms – veto power over other Dictator – Chosen in time of war – Given complete control for 6 months

Roman State 2 classes: Patricians – Members of the landholding class (wealthy) Plebeians – Common people: farmers, merchants, artisans, traders – At first had not say in gov. – 450 BCE – demanded written laws

Laws of the Twelve Tables Displayed in the Forum – Allow plebeians to know their rights – overtime gained more rights – Eventually allow to elect own representatives – tribunes Had veto power – Senate open to plebeians

Concepts of Roman laws Innocent until proven guilty Right to defend self Careful examination by a judge Legacy: – Common people gained power & rights through peaceful means – US Constitution adopted similar ideas Senate, veto, checks and balances