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) Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) Bill of Rights (1791)

RIGHTS & FREEDOMS

Magna Carta1215

English Bill of Rights

1689

Virginia Declaration of Rights

1776

Bill of Rights1791

Trial by Jury X X X X

Due Process X X X X

Private Property X X X

No Unreasonable Search & Seizure

X X X

No Cruel Punishment

X X X X

No excessive bail or fines

X X X

Right to bear arms

X X

Right to Petition X X

Freedom of Speech

X

Freedom of Press X X

Freedom of Religion

X X

City-state Governments

Power shift to class of noble landowners and warriors who could afford own bronze weapons and chariots -- aristocracy

At first polis was ruled by kings -- monarchy

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.

Athens Located on Attica Government

At first were ruled by an aristocracy

People were unhappy, want more power, resent nobles >> result >> movement toward democracy

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 problemsOutlaw debt slavery, freed those sold into

slavery for debtGranted citizenship to foreignersEncourage 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

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

Cleisthenes (507 BCE) Established Council of 500 – members

chosen from among citizensDivide Athens into 10 tribesEach tribe elect 50 men to serve in councilBreaks 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.

Roman Republic

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 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

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

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 ideasSenate, veto, checks and balances