Roots of American Roots of American GovernmentGovernment

From Ancient Times to the From Ancient Times to the PresentPresent

Words in American Words in American GovernmentGovernmentA.A. Important TermsImportant Terms

1. Constitution – the written set of laws1. Constitution – the written set of laws

2. Democracy – “the rule of the 2. Democracy – “the rule of the people”people”

3. Republic – where the power is held 3. Republic – where the power is held by representatives elected by by representatives elected by

the the peoplepeople

4. Liberty – FREEDOM!4. Liberty – FREEDOM!

B. Types of GovernmentsB. Types of Governments

1. Governments typically are shaped by the 1. Governments typically are shaped by the traditional beliefs of the peopletraditional beliefs of the people

2. Governments are shaped by the history 2. Governments are shaped by the history of its of its countrycountry

3. Monarchy – a rule of one leader who 3. Monarchy – a rule of one leader who leads over leads over a kingdom or empirea kingdom or empire

4. Dictatorship – a rule with a person with 4. Dictatorship – a rule with a person with absolute power – a dictator uses forceabsolute power – a dictator uses force

5. Oligarchy – a dictatorship with a small 5. Oligarchy – a dictatorship with a small group of group of people leading the countrypeople leading the country

6. Theocracy – a country controlled by one 6. Theocracy – a country controlled by one or or more religious leadersmore religious leaders

What is Democracy?What is Democracy?

C. DemocracyC. Democracy1. “Government by the people”1. “Government by the people”2. Ruled directly by the people or elected officials = 2. Ruled directly by the people or elected officials = direct direct

democracydemocracy3. Representative Democracy – people elect 3. Representative Democracy – people elect representatives to representatives to

carry on the work of the governmentcarry on the work of the government4. Ancient Greece – 2500+ years ago4. Ancient Greece – 2500+ years ago

a. People wanted a say in government and they a. People wanted a say in government and they removed removed landowner dictators landowner dictators

b. Only adult males could vote (those who were b. Only adult males could vote (those who were not slaves)not slaves)

c. Votes were done in town hall meetingsc. Votes were done in town hall meetings

D. Purposes of GovernmentD. Purposes of Government

1. Helps people cooperate - the need 1. Helps people cooperate - the need to to have rules and laws have rules and laws

2. Provides services - gives people 2. Provides services - gives people things things

they may need (ie: education)they may need (ie: education)

3. Provides a set of written laws – a 3. Provides a set of written laws – a

constitution recorded so people can constitution recorded so people can

obey it!obey it!

Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy

E. Representative Democracy in RomeE. Representative Democracy in Rome1. Romans elected representatives1. Romans elected representatives

- A “republic”- A “republic”2. Only adult free men could vote2. Only adult free men could vote3. 2 groups of people: 3. 2 groups of people:

Landowners (Upper / Rich Class)Landowners (Upper / Rich Class)Workers, Farmers, Merchants (Lower Class)Workers, Farmers, Merchants (Lower Class)

4. The rich class would elect two leaders who could 4. The rich class would elect two leaders who could veto any veto any laws laws

5. Over time, two bodies were created: A Senate 5. Over time, two bodies were created: A Senate and a assembly and a assembly

(Senate – a life appointment - landowners) (Senate – a life appointment - landowners) (the Assembly – made up of citizens)(the Assembly – made up of citizens)

US vs. Roman DemocracyUS vs. Roman Democracy

F. US vs. Roman DemocracyF. US vs. Roman Democracy1. US has a representative democracy1. US has a representative democracy2. The leaders make and carry out the 2. The leaders make and carry out the

laws laws3. Veto power is held by our President3. Veto power is held by our President4. US- written laws = Constitution4. US- written laws = Constitution5. US has a Senate (the “upper 5. US has a Senate (the “upper house”) house”) and the House of and the House of RepresentativesRepresentatives

English LawEnglish Law

G. English LawG. English Law1. 1776 – US became a free nation1. 1776 – US became a free nation2. It was once ruled by Britain and its monarchy2. It was once ruled by Britain and its monarchy3. 3 English Ideas kept alive:3. 3 English Ideas kept alive:

a. a. Law and orderLaw and order – areas of the country were – areas of the country were ruled by ruled by town and city governments (and had town and city governments (and had police, etc)police, etc)

b. b. Limits on governmentLimits on government – the government – the government should not have too much power and should not have too much power and

rights could not be taken awayrights could not be taken away c. c. Representative DemocracyRepresentative Democracy - the people - the people

elected elected officials to represent themofficials to represent them