1. Influences on American Government

2. BELLRINGER
Read the first 3 paragraphs under “Early English Influences” on page 86 in your textbook.
Why do you think the “Magna Carta” was such an important document in relation to the rights we have as citizens in the U.S. today?

3. Early English Influence
Early American ideas of democracy and government can be traced back to early English rule.
England was ruled by a monarch for centuries.
“Monarchy” is a form of government where the nation is ruled by a king or queen

4. Rule of King John ( )
The rule of King John of England met resistance from his noble families.
In 1215, they rebelled in order to maintain their authority and privileges.

5. The Magna Carta (1215)
Magna Carta (Latin for “Great Charter”) was signed by King John.
It was a contract that limited the power of the monarch by guaranteeing that no one is above the law (even the king) – RULE OF LAW

6. The Magna Carta (1215)
This document upheld the rights of landowners by:
protecting the people’s rights
limiting the power of the Monarch – leading to a LIMITED GOVERNMENT!

7. English Bill of Rights (1689)
The English Bill of Rights was drawn up in 1689 by Parliament (England’s legislature.)
The English Bill of Rights - stated that the English monarch had no power over the Parliament and could never again control it’s actions.

8. English Bill of Rights (1689)
The new document guaranteed the following:
1. King could not suspend laws without Parliament’s approval.
2. King could not create special courts without Parliament’s approval.
3. King could not impose new taxes without Parliament’s approval.
4. King could not raise an army without consent of Parliament
5. Parliament would now be freely elected (by the people)
6. All citizens would have the right to fair trial
7. Bans cruel and unusual punishment

9. Limited Government
Documents like the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights created a tradition of limited government in England – the colonists would be influenced by these documents and the idea of limited government later on….

10. Mayflower Compact ESTABLISHED SELF-GOVERNMENT
In 1620, Pilgrim’s ship knocked off course on way to America.
Needed to establish a compact (written agreement) to establish laws.
Created a direct democracy.

11. BELLRINGER
Analyze the chart on “Enlightenment Thinkers” in your textbook on page Then, answer the 2 questions to the right. Be sure to cite evidence from the chart when answering each question.

12. The Enlightenment Influences of Montesquieu & Locke

13. SS.7.C.1.1: Recognize How Enlightenment Ideas Including Montesquieu’s View of Separation of Power and John Locke’s Theories Related to Natural Law and the Social Contract Influenced the Founding Fathers

14. The Enlightenment
The Enlightenment (or Age of Reason) is an era from the 1620’s to the 1780’s in which cultural and intellectual forces in Western Europe emphasized reason, analysis, and individualism rather than traditional lines of authority.

15. The Enlightenment

16. John Locke – Natural Rights
People are born with natural rights (IDEA KNOWN AS NATURAL LAW)
Rights to life, liberty and property.

17. John Locke – Social Contract
Social Contract - People give up some rights in order to be protected by government. If government fails to protect people’s natural rights, people have a right to overthrow it.

18. John Locke – Social Contract

19. John Locke – Social Contract
Social Contract – people enter into an “agreement” with the government and must give up the right to do certain things, but they get back protection from the government.

20. John Locke – Influence on the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson
Natural Rights
Social Contract
Life, liberty & property
Unalienable Rights
Consent of the governed
Life, liberty & pursuit of happiness

21. Baron de Montesquieu
Believed government power should be divided into branches – Separation of Powers
Each branch of government should be able to limit power of other 2 branches, creating a balanced government

22. Montesquieu – Separation of Powers

23. Montesquieu – Separation of Powers
Legislative Makes Laws
Executive Executes (enforces) the Law
Judicial Interprets the Law

24. Montesquieu – Influence?
Executive – President – Enforces Laws
Legislative – Congress – Makes Laws
Judicial - Supreme Court – Interprets Laws

25. Montesquieu / Locke Review
The Enlightenment –was a time of learning, knowledge and philosophy
John Locke:
Natural Law
Social Contract
Influenced the Declaration of Independence
Montesquieu:
Separation of Powers / Checks and Balances

26. Matching – Enlightenment Influences: John Locke & Montesquieu
Thomas Jefferson
Natural Rights
a. Things that everyone should be able to do no matter what
b. Is known for his ideas about separation of powers
c. Was influenced by John Locke when writing the Declaration of Independence
d. The time period when Locke and Montesquieu wrote
e. Was known for his ideas about natural rights & law
f. Said that government should protect life, liberty & property
g. Is known for his ideas about “the social contract”
h. Said that government power should divided into 3 branches