Chapter 2 Section 1Mr. Gordon

Roots of American Democracy

Main IdeaAmerican democracy was shaped by our English political heritage, colonial experiments in self-government, and a range of intellectual influences.

English Political Heritage

• Colonial government would never be an exact copy of the British system. Colonial leaders adapted old ideas, based on English traditions, to a new environment.

English Political Heritage

Representative GovernmentTradition began in 11th century.Evolved into bicameral, or two-chamber, legislature

Nobles comprised Upper House.Local representatives participated in House of Commons.

English Political Heritage

Limited GovernmentBegan in 1215 when King John signed Magna Carta

Moved from rule of man to rule of law

Outlined individual rights which king could not violate

Included taxation and trial provisions

English Political Heritage

Individual Rights •1628: King Charles required to sign Petition of Right•Required monarchs to obtain Parliamentary approval before levying new taxes, also could not unlawfully imprison people or establish military rule during times of peace•Extended conflict between Charles and Parliament erupted into civil war in 1642.•Charles defeated, beheaded

English Political Heritage

•1685: renewed conflicts and rebellion between the Crown and Parliament•1689: William and Mary chosen to rule, but had to govern according to statutes of Parliament•1689: English Bill of Rights passed •Free speech and protection from cruel and unusual punishment guaranteed•Glorious Revolution established constitutional monarchy.

Roots of American Democracy

Question

How did limited government develop in England?

through the Glorious Revolution and the English Bill of Rights

English Colonies

English colonists began to settle parts of North America in the early 1600s, bringing English political theories and methods of governance.

English Colonies

Experiments in Early GovernanceJamestown’s House of Burgesses, 1619

Mayflower Compact, 1620Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, 1639

Massachusetts Body of Liberties, 1641

Each charter guaranteed colonists the “rights of Englishmen.”

English Colonies

Types of English ColoniesThree types established Proprietary, based on land grant to individual or group

Royal colonies, directly controlled by king through appointed governor

Charter colonies, operated under charters agreed to by colony and king; had most independence from the Crown

Question

How were charter colonies and royal colonies different?

charter colonies—largely self-governing; royal colonies—directly controlled by the Crown through an appointed governor

Intellectual Influences

Intellectual Influences•In addition to English traditions, ideas were key to transforming loyal English colonists first into revolutionaries and then into founders of a new nation.

Intellectual Influences

Republicanism•Idea of representative government going back to Greece and Rome•Highly values citizen participation, public good, civic virtue•Influences included Aristotle, Machiavelli, de Montesquieu, others

Intellectual Influences

Judeo-Christian Influences•Religious heritage common to both Christianity and Judaism•Law and individual rights of divine origin

Intellectual Influences

Enlightenment Thinkers • Enlightenment—Intellectual movement in 18th century

Europe• Classical liberal concerns addressed in Enlightenment• Framers of U.S. Constitution believed in people’s natural

rights to life, liberty, and property.• Social contract—People form a government to protect

their rights• Philosophers John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau

important contributors• Economic and civil liberties important as well• Other influences included Adam Smith, Voltaire, William

Blackstone.

Question

What intellectual influences shaped the Framers’ views on republicanism?

Greece and Rome; Machiavelli’s Discourses on Livy; Montesquieu’s Spirit of the Laws