Roots of Roots of Democracy in Democracy in

AmericaAmerica

Magna CartaMagna Carta12151215English noblemen forced English noblemen forced

King John to sign King John to sign Two basic ideas:Two basic ideas:

Even a king must obey lawEven a king must obey law Citizens have certain rightsCitizens have certain rights

1

Copy of the Magna Carta from 1225

Virginia House of Virginia House of BurgessesBurgesses

16191619

First elected First elected representative assembly representative assembly in the coloniesin the colonies

2

Virginia House of

Burgesses

Mayflower CompactMayflower Compact

Compact means Compact means agreementagreement or contract or contract

1620 - Signed by the 1620 - Signed by the PilgrimsPilgrims before before they disembarked from the shipthey disembarked from the ship

They would elect men to govern They would elect men to govern Plymouth Plantation Plymouth Plantation by majority voteby majority vote

First attempt to practice First attempt to practice democracydemocracy in in American historyAmerican history

3

The Mayflower

Signing of the Mayflower Compact, Signing of the Mayflower Compact, 16201620

Artist: Percy Moran

English Bill of English Bill of RightsRights

16891689 Signed by the English monarchs, Signed by the English monarchs,

William and Mary William and Mary Gave English Parliament ultimate Gave English Parliament ultimate

powerpower Listed the rights of English citizensListed the rights of English citizens

4

Fundamental Orders Fundamental Orders of Connecticutof Connecticut

First written constitution in First written constitution in American colonial historyAmerican colonial history

5

John LockeJohn Locke

16901690

English philosopherEnglish philosopher

““Natural Rights of Natural Rights of Man”Man”LifeLifeLibertyLibertyPrivate propertyPrivate property

6

John LockeBritish

Philosopher

Declaration of Declaration of IndependenceIndependence

17761776 Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson ““Unalienable Rights”Unalienable Rights” Argues that governments are Argues that governments are

created to protect man’s created to protect man’s rightsrights

People should abolish any People should abolish any government that does notgovernment that does not

7

U.S. ConstitutionU.S. Constitution

17871787Current written plan that Current written plan that

describes the basic power describes the basic power structure and function of structure and function of the federal governmentthe federal government

8

FederalistsFederalists Leaders who wanted a strong Leaders who wanted a strong

federal (central) government.federal (central) government. Supported the Constitution as Supported the Constitution as

it was written in 1787.it was written in 1787. James Madison (4James Madison (4thth Pres.)– Pres.)–

“Father of the Constitution.”“Father of the Constitution.” Alexander Hamilton – First Alexander Hamilton – First

Secretary of the Treasury.Secretary of the Treasury.

.

9

FederalistsFederalists

James Madison Alexander Hamilton

Anti-federalistsAnti-federalists Leaders who opposed a Leaders who opposed a

strong federal governmentstrong federal government Refused to ratify the 1787 Refused to ratify the 1787

Constitution until a “Bill of Constitution until a “Bill of Rights” was added to protect Rights” was added to protect citizenscitizens

10

Federalist PapersFederalist PapersA series of essays written by A series of essays written by the Federalists to convince the Federalists to convince Americans to support the Americans to support the

Constitution and a stronger Constitution and a stronger national governmentnational government

11

Bill of RightsBill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution.

Lists the rights of American citizens.

12

Amendment IAmendment I

Freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and

petition

13

Amendment IIAmendment II

Right to bear arms

Amendment IIAmendment II 14

Amendment IIIAmendment III

Prevents quartering of soldiers in citizens’ homes.

Amendment IIIAmendment III 15

Amendment IVAmendment IV

Prevents illegal searches and seizures of property

Amendment IVAmendment IV 16

Amendment VAmendment V

Protects rights of the accused, such as no self-incrimination in court and no double jeopardy.

Amendment VAmendment V 17

Amendment VIAmendment VI

Right to a speedy trial by jury of your peers in

criminal cases. (murder)

Amendment VIAmendment VI 18

Amendment VIIAmendment VII

Right to a jury trial in civil cases (lawsuits).

Amendment VIIAmendment VII 19

Amendment VIIIAmendment VIII

Prevents excessive bail and cruel and unusual

punishments.

Amendment VIIIAmendment VIII 20

Amendment IXAmendment IXRights reserved for the people.

Just because it isn’t specifically listed in the Bill of Rights does not mean you do not have a certain right.

Example: the right to privacy.

Amendment IXAmendment IX 21

Amendment XAmendment X

States’ Rights

If a power is not specifically granted to the national government, it is reserved for the states.

Example: public schools

Amendment XAmendment X 22

The people give government its power.

Government exists to serve the people.

Example: voting

23

No one is above the law. Citizens and government officials

must all follow the laws.

24

Personal rights and freedoms guaranteed in the Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments Examples: speech, religion,

arms, speedy trial by jury25

We believe in electing officials to represent our interests and make the laws for us.

Example: the U.S. Congress.

26

Our federal government is divided into 3 separate branches.

Each branch has its own separate and specific duties and responsibilities. 27

continued

Legislative

Makes the laws

Executive

Enforces the laws

Judicial

Interprets the laws

3 Branches

27

Each branch can block the power of the other 2 branches.

Prevents 1 branch from becoming too powerful.

Examples: Presidential veto; Judicial review; Congressional approval of justices.

28

The federal and state governments share some powers

Examples:• We pay federal income tax, and

some states require a state income tax.

• Both the federal and state governments build highways.29

Federal Laws

State Laws