the american colonists a voice in government electing representatives to the legislature no taxation...
TRANSCRIPT
The American Colonists• A voice in government• Electing representatives to the
legislature• No taxation without
representation• Citizens participate in
government through voting• Citizens have the responsibility
to work toward the common good
• Value placed on religious freedom and freedom of the press (Roger Williams/John Peter Zenger)
• Citizens standing up for their rights
• Principles– DEMOCRACY– POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY– INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES– PROTECTION AGAINST
TYRANNY
The English
• A documented list of rights that not even the government can take away (Magna Carta, 1215; English Bill of Rights 1689)
• Right to a trial by jury• Free speech• Freedom to petition
the government
• Principles:– LIMITED
GOVERNMENT & RULE OF LAW
– PROTECTION AGAINST TYRANNY
Ancient Greece and Rome
• Direct and Indirect democracy– People participate in
governing (through voting)– Elected representatives
(republic)– Term limits– People and the
government work toward the common good
Principles:DEMOCRACYBALANCED GOVERNMENTLIMITED GOVERNMENT
Enlightenment Philosophers• John Locke – The Social
Contract theory– The people and their
government enter into an agreement together. Both have responsibilities.
– The purpose of government is protect the natural rights of the people
– If the government fails to do so, the people have an obligation to change the government
• Baron de Montesquieu – separation of powers to safe guard against tyranny (creation of three branches of government)
• Principles:– POPULAR CONSENT– POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY– SEPARATION OF POWERS
Declaration of Independence• Jefferson bases most of his
writing on the principles of John Locke’s Social Contract Theory– The purpose of government is
to protect the natural/unalienable rights of the people (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)
– If the government fails to do so, the people should change or get rid of their government and start a new one
– Popular consent: The government gets their power from the people and should seek their approval
The Articles of Confederation
• Our first national plan of government
• Written by the 2nd Continental Congress in 1777; takes effect in 1781
• Based on a loose association, or confederation of states
• A very weak central gov’t– Only has a legislature– No power to tax– No power to enforce laws– No power to regulate
foreign trade
PRINCIPLES:
Protection against tyranny
Federalism: a system of government where powers are more evenly distributed between the state and national government including some shared powers