EUROPEAN INFLUENCES��ON��AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Ancient Greeks and Romans

• Ideas of democracy and representative government more than 2,000 years ago

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• A Democracy in Ancient Greece!

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• A Republic in Ancient Rome!

A Democracy in Ancient Greece

• Athens demos kratia = democracy

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• Democracy --- government by the people

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• Who was a citizen in Athens?

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• What is direct democracy?
• People participate directly in decision making through voting on issues

A Republic in Ancient Rome

• What is a republic?

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A form of government in which people elect representatives to govern them

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• Codified Law – written laws to prevent abuse

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�The Influence of English Government�Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy�

• 1^st European nation to experiment with democracy is Britain
• English common law – law based on accepted customs, traditions, and past decisions – same legal ideas to all English citizens
• Magna Carta 1215
• Parliament
• English Bill of Rights 1689

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Influence of European Philosophers

• “Enlightened Thinkers”
• Thinkers apply reason and scientific ideas to government

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• Known as “philosophes”
• One who searches for wisdom and knowledge

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• John Locke

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• Jean Jacques Rousseau

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• Baron de Montesquieu

John Locke�1690 First and Second Treatises on Government�“Contract Theory” of Government�

• “Natural Rights” - Inalienable right to life, liberty, and property
• People create government and chose to be governed (consent of governed)
• Government to protect rights of people
• If a ruler violates the people’s natural rights, then it is O.K. to rebel and form new government

Jean Jacques Rousseau

• The Social Contract - 1762

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• In an ideal society, people would form a community and make a contract with each other, and not a ruler

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• People would give up some of their freedom in favor of the needs of the majority

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• The community would vote on all decisions and everyone would accept the community decision

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Baron de Montesquieu�The Spirit of Laws --- Limited Government

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• To protect natural rights of citizens, a need for limited government

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• How do you limit government powers?
• Separation of Powers (L, E, J)
• Checks and balances
• Divides and administers powers so no one branch becomes too powerful

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Conclusion

• Our Founding Fathers found great political wisdom in the past!

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• Our Federal Government combines ancient Greek and Roman ideas with English government and European philosophy from “Enlightened” thinkers!

Review!

• What characteristics of the American system of government reflect the influence of the Ancient Greeks and Romans?

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• What impact did English ideas and practices have on American government?

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• How did the ideas of “Enlightened” thinkers influence our Constitution?