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The Roots of American Government

The Roots of American Government. Constitution. A plan of government = maps out the structures & powers of govt. Constitutional Government. Limited government based on the rule of law. 2 Types written unwritten. Written Political Stability Undergoes change very rarely.

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The Roots of American Government

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  1. The Roots of American Government

  2. Constitution • A plan of government = maps out the structures & powers of govt.

  3. Constitutional Government • Limited government based on the rule of law. • 2 Types • written • unwritten

  4. Written Political Stability Undergoes change very rarely. Controversial because of different interpretations. Unwritten Developed through custom & tradition Flexible Does not clearly say govt. powers Written vs. Unwritten Constitutions

  5. Characteristics of Colonial America • Vast Land; diverse & expanding population • Colonies had own representative legislatures • The South: Plantations & Slavery • North: Trade & Engineering

  6. What did the Founders Learn About Government? • Classical philosophers: humans are social & have obligations to their community = civic virtue • John Locke’s Natural Rights: all people are born with rights to life, liberty, and property. People form government to protect rights & overthrow it when it fails

  7. English history: monarchy can evolve into a free government of the people. • American colonial history: local self-govt. can coexist with a distant central government, • unrest can occur if people believe central govt. is abusing its power.

  8. What forms of Government could the founders choose from? • Aristotle’s Forms of government

  9. Polity: A Mixed Constitution • Govt. ruled by both the rich and the poor • The basis of Classical Republicanism • Influenced Renaissance and Enlightenment concept of Republicanism. • Fits our modern definition of democracy.

  10. Montesquieu defined England as a mixed constitution. • Glorious Revolution (1688) made England a Constitutional Monarchy. • House of Lords = landed aristocracy, held most power until mid-1800s. • House of Commons = represented the lower classes, but only upper- middle class.

  11. Republic • Representative government. • Roman Republic had an unwritten mixed constitution after 287 BC. • British Parliament & Colonial Assemblies were examples of representative govts.

  12. So why didn’t the Founders want direct democracy? • The Many would oppress the Few. • Private Property wouldn’t be protected • Representative govt. = many interests

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