Athenians -
Founding fathers thought the Athenians were the first democracy because they practiced -
- Voting rights
- Rule of law
- Trial by jury
Romans -
The Romans influenced America's free government with separation of powers, a republican form of government and a citizen army.
Republican -
Vote for leaders who make the decisions.
Athenians/Romans -
Both were free people but had different forms of a free government.
Athenian government -
Democracy (people vote directly on issues)
Trial by jury -
When citizens are judged in a trial by their fellow citizens (not government).
Voting rights -
When citizens vote freely.
Rule of law -
All citizens are equal in the eyes of the law and nobody is above the law.
Separation of powers -
When government's power is split up to keep the government from being to strong.
Representative government -
When people elect leaders (like congressmen, mayors and presidents) who make decisions on issue.
The enlightenment -
The enlightenment was a philosophy (way of thinking) that came from Europe and also influenced America's government.
John Locke -
Government exist to protect people's rights - Life, liberty and property.
Thomas Hobbs -
The social contract - People obey the laws or government protects the people's rights.
Checks and balances -
The same as separation of powers. Break up government power so the government is not strong and abuses its powers.
Niccolo Machiavelli -
Machiavelli promoted the idea of separation of powers.
The enlightenment additional information -
The enlightenment philosophers (Locke, T. Hobbs and Machiavelli) also believed in natural rights - Man's rights come from God.