Influences on America’s Democratic Ideals

1. Influences on America’s Democratic Ideals

2. The Athenian Democracy Have you ever noticed that many of the government buildings across the country look like Greek or Roman temples? Roman Temple of Bacchus U.S. Supreme Court Virginia State Capital Acropolis of Athens

3. There is actually a good explanation for the resemblance…

4. The ancient Greeks (Athenians) and Romans were the first civilizations to create governments based on democracy.

5. DEMOS = The People KRATIA = Rule Democracymeans “the people rule”

6. The Magna Carta • What’s so “magna” about this “carta?” This copy, one of only 17, sold for $21.3 million in 2008!!!

7. Magna Cartameans “great charter”

8. Beginning in 1215, after consistent abuses of power by the monarch, English barons demanded limits be placed on the King’s powers • It established the rule of lawand due process of law • -the government and those that govern are bound by the law, just as • those that are governed are • -Fundamental rights are afforded all

9. By establishing the rule of law • the Magna Carta created the idea of • limited government • -the government is not all-powerful • -it can only do those things the • people give it power to do

10. The English Petition of Rights • Passed in 1628 (under the reign of Charles I) • A major English constitutional document that outlined specific rights of the king’s subjects that the he was prohibited from infringing upon.

11. The English Petition of Rights • The Petition contains restrictions on: -non-Parliamentary taxation -forced billeting of soldiers -imprisonment without cause (habeas corpus) -restricts the use of martial law

12. The English Bill of Rights • Passed in England in 1686 • Gave individual rights to British citizens -Freedom of speech -Freedom to petition the king -The right to bear arms

13. Democratic Traditions Reflected in America’s Colonial Government

14. The Mayflower Compact-1620 • 1620-Written by the Puritans aboard ship • Established a government of self-rule for the colony in the New World • Established popular sovereignty in the colony- ”the people decide”

15. Fundamental Orders of Connecticut-1639 • Written by the Connecticut colony • Considered the first Constitution in the Western hemisphere. • The Orders provided for an elected government of a governor and magistrates—together, they had legislative, executive, and judicial power. • The Orders included guidelines for electing representation and paying taxes.

16. The Virginia Charters-1606 • Set of 3 charters given to the Virginia Co. of London by King James I of England • Gave the Company permission to establish a colony in the New World for the economic opportunities possibly there • The colony established was given relative self-rule through appointment of a council • The rights of Englishmen “went with them”

17. The Virginia House of Burgesses-1619 • Bicameral—First legislature made up of elected representatives in the New World • Established by the Virginia Company, partly in efforts to encourage settlement in the colony • First met in Jamestown in 1619 • Served as Virginia’s colonial legislature until Independence Democratic Ideals and Influential Documents Timeline