Unit 2: Foundations of American Government

How was ancient Greek society like our American society today?

• ​self-government - citizens create and run their own government

• civic participation - action taken by citizens who seek to influence the government

• rule of law - no one was above the law and everyone was expected to follow it

• written constitution - to provide laws and government processes

Ancient Greece:

What type of government did Ancient Greece have?

Direct Democracy is a form of democracy in which all laws and policies imposed by governments are determined by the people themselves, rather than by representatives who are elected by the people.

Ancient Greece:

How was ancient Rome society like our American society today?

• separation of powers: to divide a government into parts, with each part having its own purpose

• rule of law: the idea that those who govern must follow the laws; no one is above the law.

• republicanism: a theory of government that emphasizes the participation of citizens for the common good of the community.

Ancient Rome:

What type of government did Ancient Rome have?

Representative Democracy (Republic): a system of government in which citizens elect representatives who propose and vote on legislation or policy initiatives on their behalf

*The United States currently uses this form of government*

Ancient Rome:

Ethical or moral beliefs include concepts like right and wrong and can vary among cultures. For those in the Judeo-Christian tradition, the concepts below heavily influences the Founders of our nation:

• justice: all people are treated fairly and equally under the law.

• individual worth: every person is born with worth and dignity because they were created by God.

• personal responsibility: every individual is responsible for their actions and should be held accountable.

• rule of law: the idea that those who govern must follow the laws; no one is above the law.

Judeo-Christian Traditions

The Magna Carta’s main purpose was to limit the power of the king and protect certain rights for the nobles.

Big Ideas:
- due process
- limited government
- right to justice
- right to fair trial

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​Magna Carta (1215) - by English Nobles

The Mayflower Compact was created to give the Puritans a government. A compact is an official agreement made by two or more parties.

Big Ideas:
- consent of the governed
- self-government

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​Mayflower Compact (1620)- by Puritans/Pilgrims

The English Bill of Rights expanded the rights of the Parliament and the people and limited the rights of the king.

Big Ideas:
- right to life, liberty and property
- no taxation without representation
- right to a speedy and fair jury trial
- no excessive punishments

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English Bill of Rights (1689)- by English Parliament

Common Sense communicated the ideas for independence and made it easy to understand for everyday colonists.

Big Ideas:
- representative self-government

Common Sense (1776)- by Thomas Paine

How did John Locke influence the Founding Fathers?

• natural rights - individuals are born with basic rights that cannot be taken away by governments; life, liberty, and property

• natural law - laws passed by government to protect natural rights

• consent of the governed - an agreement made by the people to establish a government and abide by its laws

• social contract - An agreement between the people and their government whereby the people agree to follow the law and the government promises to protect the people's natural rights

John Locke (influenced the Declaration of Independence)

How did Montesquieu influence the Founding Fathers?

• separation of powers - to divide a government into parts, with each part having its own purpose

• checks and balances - the power of one branch of government to limit the power of other branches, in order to ensure that no branch is more powerful than another

Baron de Montesquieu (influenced the U.S. Constitution)