1-1: Roots of Democratic Government

1. 1-1: Roots of Democratic Government American constitutional government has its roots in Greek, Roman, and English Parliamentary traditions.

2. Anticipatory Set What comes to mind when you think about democracy?

3. California Standards • Social Studies Standard 8.1.4: Describe the nation’s blend of civil republicanism, classical liberal principles, and English parliamentary traditions. • Social Studies Standard 8.2.1: Discuss the significance of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the Mayflower Compact.

4. Input • direct democracy: a system of government in which an assembly of ordinary citizens makes decisions. • jury: a panel of citizens who make judgments in a trial. • republic: a system of government in which the people choose representatives who govern in their name.

5. Input • legislature: a group of people who have the power to make laws. • bill of rights: a written list of freedoms that a government promises to protect. • habeas corpus: the principle that a person cannot be held in prison without being charged with a specific crime.

6. Input • Judaism and Christianity helped shape many basic moral and spiritual values. Many American ideas and values are rooted in Judaism and Christianity. • Judaism: • It is the faith of the ancient Hebrews; • Hebrews believed in one god; and • They are governed by a set of moral and religious rules called the Ten Commandments. Moses receives the Ten Commandments

7. Input • Judaism and Christianity helped shape many basic moral and spiritual values. Many American ideas and values are rooted in Judaism and Christianity. • Christianity: • Emerged from the Jewish tradition • about 2,000 years ago; • Inspired by the life and teachings of a • Jew named Jesus; • Roman officials had Jesus crucified; • His followers spread Christianity; and • Eventually, after years of persecution, • Christianity became the official religion • of the Roman Empire. Jesus of Nazareth

8. Input & Modeling • Judaism and Christianity helped shape many basic moral and spiritual values. Many American ideas and values are rooted in Judaism and Christianity. • Judeo-Christian Influence: • Judaism and Christianity eventually • spread to the Americas; • Judeo-Christian ideas about justice, • morality, and equality proved to be • influential; • The Hebrew Bible comprises the Old • Testament of the Christian Bible • The Hebrews taught that rulers are • subject to God’s law; and • Christians believe that, in the eyes of God, all people are equal. The Gutenberg Bible was the first major book to be widely printed in the West.

9. Input & Modeling • The Greco-Roman Tradition • Athenian Democracy: • Athens was the first Greek city-state to adopt direct democracy; • Much of our judicial system is similar to that of Ancient Athens; • One important duty of Athenians was to serve on juries; and • They believed that democracy depended on educated citizens.

10. Input • The Greco-Roman Tradition • Roman Government and Law: • In 509 B.C. Romans established a republic; • An elected senate and assembly made the laws; • The system of checks and balances derives from Roman representative democracy; and • Eventually, the Roman Empire spread its ideas about law across western Europe.

11. Input & Modeling • English Parliamentary Traditions • Magna Carta • It was signed in 1215 by King John; • It was the first document to place restrictions on an English king’s power, limiting taxation without consultation, protecting the right • to own private property, and • ensuring the right to trial by jury; • and • It established the principle that • the king must obey the law.

12. Input • English Parliamentary Traditions • Parliament • Nobles formed a Great Council to advise the king; • The council developed into the English Parliament; • Parliament had the right to approve new taxes, which gave them some control over the king; and • By the 1600s, Parliament had developed into a two-house legislature (the House of Lords and the House of Commons).

13. Input • English Parliamentary Traditions • English Bill of Rights • It was approved the year after • King James II was removed by • Parliament in 1688; • It restated many of the rights • granted by the Magna Carta; • It upheld habeas corpus, the • principle that a person cannot • be held in prison without being • charged with a specific crime; and • It prevented a monarch from raising • taxes or an army without the consent • of Parliament.

14. Check forUnderstanding • How did Judeo-Christian beliefs support the idea of equality? • They taught that all people were equal in God’s eyes.

15. Check forUnderstanding • What was one of the important duties of an Athenian citizen? • They had to serve on a duty.

16. Check forUnderstanding • List two rights guaranteed by the Magna Carta. • Limited the power of the monarch and guaranteed the right to trial by jury.

17. EXTENSION • Write a detailed SUMMARY of the section and complete the UNANSWERED QUESTIONS section of your notes. • Choose two of the remaining Depth & Complexity ICONS in your notes and explain how they relate to this section.