The Foundations of Democracy

Democracy in the Ancient World

• The Jewish Religion: Individual Self-worth• Athens, Greece 400 B.C. – World’s first

democracy (direct).• Romans: World‘s first republic (Senate,

consuls [executives] had veto (Latin for “I forbid”) power.

The Magna Carta

• Magna Carta (Latin for “Great Charter”) signed by King John of England in 1215 A.D.No taxes without consent of the nobles.Equal treatment under the law.Trial by one’s peers.Right to rebel if the king broke the charter.These rights eventually given to the common people.Led the formation of Parliament, the British

legislature.Established the principle of limited government.

The English Civil War

• In 1625, King Charles I dismissed Parliament after a power struggle and ruled on his own.

• When Charles recalled Parliament in 1628 (in order to get them to approve new taxes), they forced him to sign the Petition of Right, which further limited the King’s powers.

• When Charles failed to follow the terms of the Petition, a civil war broke out.

• Eventually, Parliament removed the king and ruled without a monarch for 20 years.

The Glorious Revolution

• In 1688, Parliament forced King James II, the son of Charles I, from the throne.

• Parliament asked James’ daughter Mary and her husband William to rule instead.

• This peaceful transfer of power in 1689 became known as the “Glorious Revolution”.

The Enlightenment

• New English ideas about government were part of a larger movement known as the Enlightenment.

• Enlightenment thinkers believed in natural laws created by God that could be discovered by human reason.

• They wanted to apply the laws that governed nature to people and society.

The Social Contract

• Enlightenment philosopher Thomas Hobbes believed a “social contract” existed between government and the people; people gave up some freedom to the government in return for protection of other rights; strong leader needed.

• John Locke and his key idea: People born with certain God-given rights, called natural rights. Agreed with Hobbes about the social contract, but said people could choose new leaders if government failed to protect their rights.

• A handout on the Enlightenment Thinkers will be given to you. It goes in the Notes and Handouts section of your Folder.

• Your activity for today will be comparing the English Bill of Rights with the U.S. Bill of Rights (you should be somewhat familiar with what this is!). Enjoy!