1. Ideas Behind our Government

2. European Middle Ages Absolute monarchy was accepted
Monarchs ruled through divine right.
Believed God, not people, created society
If the people suffered under a tyrannical king, it was God’s will.
Disobeying a despot was a sin, so people had a duty to obey their leader no matter what

3. The Enlightenment 1600s – 1700s Human beings are rational
All men are equal
Small/limited gov’t better than absolute monarchy
Government rules with the consent of the governed (we give them some of our freedom)
Individual rights are important:
freedom of speech, religion
freedom to own property, earn money
political equality

4. Why is the U.S. considered to have its roots in the Enlightenment?
Key ideas appear in the
founding documents,
particularly the
Declaration of
Independence.
(Our founding fathers were well-educated & had read the famous political thinkers of their time.)

5. The Ideas Behind our Government
I. The Power of any government should be limited

6. Formative Documents a. THE MAGNA CARTA
An agreement signed by King John of England in 1215
Nobles insisted he limit his power
Guaranteed right of Parliament (nobles) to approve new taxes
Guaranteed right of people to own property
Guaranteed right to trial with a jury

7. b. ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS
Passed in 1689 by British Parliament
Nobles insisted king must follow all laws
Re-stated right of to trial with a jury
Guaranteed right of HABEAS CORPUS (can’t be held without being charged with a crime)
Restated right of Parliament to approve new taxes, increase military

8. What we learned from this…
Rulers are not OMNIPOTENT
Rulers are UNDER the law
Ruler must work with the LEGISLATURE

9. All people have the right & ability to govern themselves
Formative Documents
a. MAYFLOWER COMPACT
Signed 1620 by Pilgrims
Decision of the members of Plymouth to work together
Social Contract - All members consented to the rules of the community

10. What we learned from this…
Representative government (adult males elect a ruling council)
Majority rule
Power of a written contract

11. III Government Power Should Never Be Too Concentrated
Philosophers
a. Baron de Montesquieu
French philosopher s
Studied by all US forefathers
Described the ideal government:
Legislative Branch – makes laws
Executive Branch– enforces laws
Judicial Branch– interpret laws
Power should be limited and shared!

12. b. Jean Jacques Rousseau
French philosopher 1700s
Studied by all US forefathers
Believed man is by nature generous
However, too much power will corrupt ANYONE!

13. What we learned from this…
Government must maintain a balance of power
No one in gov’t should be too powerful
Citizens should be treated equally by the law (democracy)

14. IV People’s Natural Rights Should be Protected by their Gov’t
Philosopher
a. John Locke
British philosopher s
Studied by all US forefathers
Believed all humans have rights to life, health, liberty and possessions that no one should harm
To secure their rights, therefore, people give up some freedom and form government
If government fails to protect rights of citizens, they are free to make a new government.

15. What we learned from this…
A gov’t only rule by consent (permission) of the people
Rulers must respect/protect citizens’ rights
If they don’t, citizens have right to replace them.