Historical Influences on Historical Influences on the Foundations of Modern the Foundations of Modern

GovernmentGovernmentpp. 19-25, pp. 19-25, We the PeopleWe the People

The RenaissanceThe Renaissance• Renaissance—Cultural movement in Europe, Renaissance—Cultural movement in Europe,

started in 14started in 14thth century century• ““Rebirth”Rebirth”• Revival of intellectual lifeRevival of intellectual life• Education more widespread, cities developed, Education more widespread, cities developed,

trade flourishedtrade flourished• Increased communicationIncreased communication• Increased importance on individual rights; Increased importance on individual rights;

increased individual opportunities for social increased individual opportunities for social mobilitymobility

• Ended the “Dark Ages” Ended the “Dark Ages”

The Protestant The Protestant ReformationReformation

• Reformation—Started in 1517 by Martin Reformation—Started in 1517 by Martin Luther; challenge to the traditions of the Luther; challenge to the traditions of the Roman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Church

• Leaders of the movement saw it as a chance Leaders of the movement saw it as a chance to break away from Rome’s political influenceto break away from Rome’s political influence

• Printing press allowed Bible to be printed in Printing press allowed Bible to be printed in English, French, German, Italian, etc. (only English, French, German, Italian, etc. (only Latin prior)Latin prior)• More people read the Bible; greater freedom of More people read the Bible; greater freedom of

conscienceconscience

Nation-StatesNation-States• With the Renaissance & Reformation emerged With the Renaissance & Reformation emerged

nation-statesnation-states• Nation-states were given sovereignty, and Nation-states were given sovereignty, and

could choose their own institutions, including could choose their own institutions, including religionreligion

• Europeans began to view themselves of Europeans began to view themselves of citizens of their country; saw themselves as citizens of their country; saw themselves as part of something biggerpart of something bigger

CapitalismCapitalism• Capitalism—Economic system in which the means Capitalism—Economic system in which the means

of producing & distributing goods are privately of producing & distributing goods are privately owned & operatedowned & operated• Increasingly common in Europe following the Increasingly common in Europe following the

RenaissanceRenaissance• More people were able to choose their own More people were able to choose their own

occupations, start their own businesses, etc. occupations, start their own businesses, etc. • Opportunities to gain property & improve economic Opportunities to gain property & improve economic

statusstatus

• Natural rights philosophers believed that Natural rights philosophers believed that government existed to secure people’s propertygovernment existed to secure people’s property

The Age of The Age of EnlightenmentEnlightenment

• Intellectual movement of 17Intellectual movement of 17thth & 18 & 18thth centuries centuries• Advances in science & technologyAdvances in science & technology• People believed they could solve more People believed they could solve more

problems, like how to treat diseasesproblems, like how to treat diseases• Started in Europe, but later picked up by Started in Europe, but later picked up by

American FoundersAmerican Founders• Tackled wide variety of subjects: religion, Tackled wide variety of subjects: religion,

science, government, politics, math, musicscience, government, politics, math, music• Included: Galileo, Isaac Newton, Rene Included: Galileo, Isaac Newton, Rene

Descartes, Voltaire, John LockeDescartes, Voltaire, John Locke