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The American Colonists

A voice in government Electing representatives to the legislature No taxation without representation Citizens participate in government through voting Citizens have the responsibility to work toward the common good

noelani-adkins
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The American Colonists

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  1. A voice in government Electing representatives to the legislature No taxation without representation Citizens participate in government through voting Citizens have the responsibility to work toward the common good Value placed on religious freedom and freedom of the press (Roger Williams/John Peter Zenger) Citizens standing up for their rights Principles DEMOCRACY POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY INDIVIDUAL LIBERTIES PROTECTION AGAINST TYRANNY The American Colonists

  2. A documented list of rights that not even the government can take away (Magna Carta, 1215; English Bill of Rights 1689) Right to a trial by jury Free speech Freedom to petition the government Principles: LIMITED GOVERNMENT & RULE OF LAW PROTECTION AGAINST TYRANNY The English

  3. Direct and Indirect democracy People participate in governing (through voting) Elected representatives (republic) Term limits People and the government work toward the common good Principles: DEMOCRACY BALANCED GOVERNMENT LIMITED GOVERNMENT Ancient Greece and Rome

  4. John Locke – The Social Contract theory The people and their government enter into an agreement together. Both have responsibilities. The purpose of government is protect the natural rights of the people If the government fails to do so, the people have an obligation to change the government Baron de Montesquieu – separation of powers to safe guard against tyranny (creation of three branches of government) Principles: POPULAR CONSENT POPULAR SOVEREIGNTY SEPARATION OF POWERS Enlightenment Philosophers

  5. Jefferson bases most of his writing on the principles of John Locke’s Social Contract Theory The purpose of government is to protect the natural/unalienable rights of the people (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) If the government fails to do so, the people should change or get rid of their government and start a new one Popular consent: The government gets their power from the people and should seek their approval Declaration of Independence

  6. Our first national plan of government Written by the 2nd Continental Congress in 1777; takes effect in 1781 Based on a loose association, or confederation of states A very weak central gov’t Only has a legislature No power to tax No power to enforce laws No power to regulate foreign trade The Articles of Confederation PRINCIPLES: Protection against tyranny Federalism: a system of government where powers are more evenly distributed between the state and national government including some shared powers

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