Democracy
a government in which citizens hold the power to rule
Direct Democracy
a form of democracy in which the people vote firsthand for laws
Representative Democracy
a government in which citizens choose men or women to govern on their behalf
Limited Government
the principle that a ruler or a government is not all-powerful
Legislature
a group of people that make laws
Natural Right
a freedom people possess relating to life, liberty, and property
Government
Colonists could not vote for members of Parliament,No colonists were members of Parliament,Parliament did not understand colonists' needs.
Trade
Parliament allowed only trade w/ England,Colonists wanted the freedom to trade w/ anyone.
No Taxation without Representation
England needed money due to debts from wars,Colonists believed taxes were unfair because they had no representation in parliament,Parliament gave the governors power to throw colonists in jail for not paying taxes.
Steps Toward Independence
Organized Committees of Correspondence to pass news from colony to colony,The Legislature called for a joint congress of representatives from all of the colonies,1774- First continental Congress met in Philadelphia, PA and agreed to cut off trade with England.
A year Later: 1775
Things are worse and the second Continental Congress met and voted for Independence, Committee members are: Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams.
What are the six influences on American Government
Ancient AthensAncient RomansMagna CarteEnglish Bill of Rights John Locke Barron de Montesquieu
Ancient Athens
Created the World's first direct democracy.Centuries later some American colonists practices direct democracy by holding town meetings to vote on local issues.
Ancient Roman
In 509 B.C., the Romans founded an republic, a government in which representatives were elected to make laws.After the end of the Roman Republic, the government by the people disappeared for hundreds of years.
Magna Carta
In the year 1215, the course of English History was changed forever, laying the groundwork for the type of government we have today.The Great Charter
English Bill of Rights
In 1689, Parliament passed the law, listing the rights of English citizens.
John Locke
English philosopher who wrote that people have natural rights, he also wrote that the Government is to serve the people, rather than the other way around.
Barron de Montesquieu
French writer who suggested separation of powers, dividing the government power among different branches.
They Believed in Natural Rights:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed...
Purpose of Government (Locke's Idea):
To secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." The only reason you have power is because the Government gave it to you.
When a Government abuses power the people may change it:
Whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Rights of the people to alter or abolish it, and to institute new government.
The Declaration concludes with the:
Signers pledging to support it with "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." The Declaration of Independence was adopted in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776.