Roots of Democracy
Democracy is . . .
•A system of government in which citizens:
•Vote for their leaders
•Have specific rights and responsibilities
Democracy came from many sources:
The ancient Greeks :“Civic virtue”
Habits and characteristics that people posses that are important to the success of the community.
Religion & virtue helped the growth of representative government in the colonies because religious groups were self-governed.
The ancient Romans :Developed the “rule of law” common to all citizens throughout the empire
Developed advanced forms of representative government, before evolving in to a dictatorship.
The Bible:Hebrew prophets developed the idea of all people being equal, created in the image of God.
The idea caring for the weaker members of society.
The Ancient WorldVOTING
LAWS
Greeks voted for their leadersRomans said people have to follow lawsThe Bible says that all people are created equal in eyes of God and the stronger need to take care of the weaker
The Magna Carta - 1215
First step toward LIMITED GOVERNMENT
British Document
Limited the power of the King
House of Burgesses - 16191st REPRESENTATIVE
ASSEMBLY*Founded at Jamestown
*First representative body in the English colonies
*Representatives began to enact laws and protected the colonists’ individual rights.
*Served as a model for other colonies
Mayflower Compact - 1620
Majority Rule
Signed by the Puritans and Pilgrims
Agree to form a political body to enact laws for the “good of the colony”
Established self-government
Elect leaders
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut - 1639
LIMITED GOVERNMENT
1st written Constitution in the colonies
Powers not given to colony, given to towns
Similar to Federalism
English Bill of Rights - 1689Individual Rights Made Parliament
stronger than the King
Protected rights to trial by jury
Outlawed cruel and unusual punishment