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The Evolution of Democracy in Western Civilization. Ancient Greece Introduces Democracy. Direct Democracy in Athens. What are some possible pros and cons to a direct democracy?. Great Philosophers: Socrates:. Plato and Aristotle. Plato’s Republic. The Roman Republic. Medieval England.
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No more Tyranny! • After King Henry’s death, the English Nobles resented the monarch’s rising power and rebelled against Henry’s son, the current King John
The Magna Carta The Great Charter of English liberty granted (under considerable duress) by King John at Runnymede on June 15, 1215
The Magna Carta • Signed by King John, 1215 • Magna Carta (Latin meaning Great Charter), limited power, forced him to agree to its 63 terms. • Was possibly first legal document to institute rights of citizen against Divine Right of Kings in European history. • No other King John’s since
Why is this so important? • The rule of law has its basis in Magna Carta. This concept, fundamental to democratic forms of government, asserts that all – including a king, prime minister, or president – must abide by the laws of the nation
Key Parts of the Magna Carta • One of the Magna Carta’s 63 Clauses*-King could not demand taxes. Had to ask for consent of people. • Another had to do with an accused person • Accused had a right to a jury trial, protection under the law. • Right called Due Process of the Law (Something we still use today) • Clause: A section of a document, • that clarifies, defines, or explains • the subject matter
Parliament • Over time the clause that said the king couldn’t tax people without their consent was interpreted to mean without the consent of Parliament. • Parliament was England’s law making body.
Hobbes’s Social Contract • Hobbes witnesses the horrors of the English Civil War • A strong government is needed to keep order • People exchange their rights in exchange for law and order • Without gov’t there would be… • “War…of every man against every man,” 1651
Hobbes’s Social Contract • A Change in The Right to Govern • Old Idea: • A monarch’s rule is justified by divine right • New Idea • A government’s power comes from the consent of the governed. 1651
John Locke • Two Treatises of Government in 1689 • Criticized absolute monarchy in favor of self-gov’t • Believed in Natural Rights • All people are born free and have the right to life, liberty, and property
Study the Charts Why were Locke’s ideas about government considered radical for his time? Enlightenment Thought: John Locke’s ideas about self-government Centuries-Old Practice All government power is with people
English Bill of Rights • Guaranteed supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy. • Monarchy could neither make nor suspend laws • Prohibited monarch from interfering with Parliament • Restated rights of English citizens • Trial by jury • Abolished fines and cruel and unusual punishment.
How did the ideas of John Locke influence Jefferson’s writings in the Declaration of Independence? LOCKE JEFFERSON, Dec. of Independence
How did the ideas of John Locke influence Jefferson’s writings in the Declaration of Independence? LOCKE JEFFERSON, Dec. of Independence
How did the ideas of John Locke influence Jefferson’s writings in the Declaration of Independence? LOCKE JEFFERSON, Dec. of Independence
How did the ideas of John Locke influence Jefferson’s writings in the Declaration of Independence? LOCKE JEFFERSON, Dec. of Independence
How did the ideas of John Locke influence Jefferson’s writings in the Declaration of Independence? LOCKE JEFFERSON, DEC. of Independence
How did the ideas of John Locke influence Jefferson’s writings in the Declaration of Independence? LOCKE JEFFERSON, Dec. of Independence
In what ways is each of the ideas represented in today’s society?
Charles-Louis Montesquieu • An influential French writer • Government should be kept under control through separation of powers • A way to guarantee balance is have three branches of government • A legislative branch to make laws • An executive branch to carry out and enforce laws • A judicial branch to interpret laws • Wrote, On the spirit of laws
James Madison • Father of the U.S. Constitution • Author of the Bill of Rights • 4th President of the US
The Bill of Rights • The First 10 Amendments of the Constitution • Added to ratify the Constitution • Guaranteed Individual Rights
The Preamble • We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.