People who had ideas that influenced our founding fathers while developing our government.

During the 1600’s

A time of scientific discovery

People began to apply scientific theories and reason to laws and society

Social Contract Theory

Believed there should be a social contract between the government and its people

People give up some freedoms to the government in return for protection

Natural Rights

Believed that people are born with the right to life, freedom, and own property.

Also believe in social contract, but believed if the government did not protect the people, the contract was broken and the people could chose a new leader

Separation of power

Believed that the government should be split into branches.

No branch should have more power than the others.

Believed that people have the right to speak freely, and this right should be defended by everyone.

Also believed in freedom of religion and freedom of trade.

Believed that the legislative branch belongs to the people.

Believed that people have the right to decide how they are governed.

Jamestown (the first permanent English settlement in the “new world” was allowed to create an assembly to create laws for themselves.

Marked the beginning of self-government and representative democracy in colonial America.

First written Constitution in America.

Said the colonist in Conn. Could elect an assembly of representatives from each town to pass laws.

Colonists could elect their own governor and judges.