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Philosophers and Documents

Philosophers and Documents. Influences on American Government. Terms to Know. Philosophers - people who seek wisdom and/or knowledge. Democracy – a system of government in which power is shared by all citizens.

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Philosophers and Documents

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  1. Philosophers and Documents Influences on American Government

  2. Terms to Know • Philosophers - people who seek wisdom and/or knowledge. • Democracy – a system of government in which power is shared by all citizens. • Direct Democracy – a form of government in which laws are made directly by the citizens. • Republic – citizens who elect people to represent them in government and make laws. Power is controlled by the people. (Indirect Democracy).

  3. Thomas Hobbes • Thomas Hobbes 1588 - 1679 • English Philosopher • Wrote his political thoughts in a book called Leviathan in 1651.

  4. Thomas Hobbes • *Belief: People lived in a state of nature (anarchy). Life was dangerous and violent until people chose a leader to rule them. • People must agree to a social contract or convent. Under this people give a monarch absolute power, only keeping certain rights that protect their lives.

  5. John Locke • John Locke 1632-1704 • An English writer of philosophy and political thought.

  6. John Locke • *Belief: People have certain rights that the state should protect. People give up certain rights but kept others. • The rights they kept included: • Life, Liberty (political equality/freedom), and Property. • He felt rulers should protect these rights.

  7. John Locke cont… • *Belief: in freedom of Press, Education Reform, and Religious Tolerance. • *People had the right to overthrow a ruler who violated the contract. Social Contract between rulers and those ruled. “Consent of the governed.”

  8. Jean-Jacques Rousseau • Jean-Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778 • French author who wrote The Social Contract, published in 1762.

  9. Jean-Jacques Rousseau • *Belief: People are born good but that environment, education, and laws corrupt them. • Fair laws and wise governments are based on Popular Sovereignty - created, ruled, and subjected by the people.

  10. François-Marie Arouet aka Voltaire • François-Marie Arouet aka Voltaire 1694-1778 • A French writer

  11. Francois-Marie Arouet aka Voltaire • *Belief: Freedom of speech and religion. • Quoted as saying, “I disapprove of what you say, but will defend to the death your right to say it.”

  12. Baron de Montesquieu • Baron de Montesquieu 1689-1755 • In 1748 he published The Spirit of Laws tried to describe the perfect government.

  13. Baron de Montesquieu . • *Belief: He felt that the British government was close to ideal. (perfection)

  14. Baron de Montesquieu cont… • The power should be shared among three branches: • Legislative – makes and passes the laws. • Executive - enforces the laws. • Judicial - interprets and applies the laws. • *Checks and Balances* - Influenced the framers of the U.S. Constitution.

  15. Early Documents Magna Carta Mayflower Compact English Bill of Rights

  16. The Magna Carta 1215 • The First System of Checks and Balances. • The most important document in British history. Signed by King John on June 15, 1215. • Created so that Kings wouldn’t abuse their power, and would be subject to the laws of the land just as common people were. Also, establishes the rights of the people; such as Trial by Jury. • It is the cornerstone of constitutional government.

  17. The Mayflower Compact 1620 • The First Document on Self-Governing. • Created by 41 Men on the Mayflower sailing to Plymouth, Massachusetts. • They fled England in search of greater Religious Tolerance. • It was a social contract that bound them to obey the authority of whatever government was established on land.

  18. English Bill of Rights 1689 • Limited Royal Power of the Parliament. • Outlined the civil and political rights and liberties (freedoms) of the people. • Signed into law by King William III in 1689. • Transformed the country of England from one controlled by the Monarchy to one of free citizens with unalienable rights.

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