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The Roots of American Government

The Roots of American Government. Major Principles of Government. Popular Sovereignty Rule of Law Separation of Powers Checks & Balances. Federalism. Expressed Powers Reserved Powers Concurrent Powers. Foundations of Rights. Magna Carta (1215) English Bill of Rights (1689)

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The Roots of American Government

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  1. The Roots of American Government

  2. Major Principles of Government Popular Sovereignty Rule of Law Separation of Powers Checks & Balances

  3. Federalism Expressed Powers Reserved Powers Concurrent Powers

  4. Foundations of Rights Magna Carta (1215) English Bill of Rights (1689) Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) Bill of Rights (1791)

  5. City-state Governments At first polis was ruled by kings -- monarchy • Power shift to class of noble landowners and warriors who could afford own bronze weapons and chariots -- aristocracy Trade expansion led to a new middle class of wealthy merchants, farmers, and artisans—they challenged landholding elites for power and came to dominate the city-state -- oligarchy Continue unrest leads to reforms that gave foreigners and other citizens more say in government, which will result in a government by the people, democracy, especially in Athens Bad times will allow tyrants to rise to and obtain absolute power with the support of the people, but some will abuse their powers allowing democracy to gain more support.

  6. Located on Attica Government At first were ruled by an aristocracy People were unhappy, want more power, resent nobles >> result >> movement toward democracy Athens

  7. Reforms toward Democracy • Draco -- wrote 1st Greek legal code • Draconian Laws – not work – address business/property issues; began debt slavery • Solon (549 BCE) • Appointed archon (chief official) – freedom to make any reforms necessary to fix problems • Outlaw debt slavery, freed those sold into slavery for debt • Granted citizenship to foreigners • Encourage export of wine and olive oil • Reforms helped some but not all, still widespread unrest which led to the rise of tyrants – absolute ruler who gained power by force

  8. Pisistratus (546 BCE) • Helped farmers by giving them loans and land taken from nobles • Established building projects to give jobs to poor, this gave them a larger voice in gov. and further weakening the aristocracy

  9. Cleisthenes (507 BCE) • Established Council of 500 – members chosen from among citizens • Divide Athens into 10 tribes • Each tribe elect 50 men to serve in council • Breaks up power of nobility • Council prepared laws for the Assembly • Established the Assembly as a true legislature (law making body) • Result: Direct Democracy in which the people control gov.

  10. What is a republic? ~509 BCE Roman drove out Etruscans Establish a republic to prevent any one person from gaining too much power – new gov. Senate 300 members Patricians, serve for life Issue decrees and interpret laws Consuls (2) Elected by senators to supervise gov. and armies 1 yr terms veto power over other Dictator Chosen in time of war Given complete control for 6 months Roman Republic

  11. Roman State • 2 classes: • Patricians • Members of the landholding class (wealthy) • Plebeians • Common people: farmers, merchants, artisans, traders • At first had not say in gov. • 450 BCE – demanded written laws

  12. Laws of the Twelve Tables • Displayed in the Forum • Allow plebeians to know their rights • overtime gained more rights • Eventually allow to elect own representatives – tribunes • Had veto power • Senate open to plebeians

  13. Concepts of Roman laws • Innocent until proven guilty • Right to defend self • Careful examination by a judge • Legacy: • Common people gained power & rights through peaceful means • US Constitution adopted similar ideas • Senate, veto, checks and balances

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