Roots of Democracy

Democracy is . . .

•A system of government in which citizens:

•Vote for their leaders

•Have specific rights and responsibilities

Democracy came from many sources:

The ancient Greeks :“Civic virtue”

Habits and characteristics that people posses that are important to the success of the community.

Religion & virtue helped the growth of representative government in the colonies because religious groups were self-governed.

The ancient Romans :Developed the “rule of law” common to all citizens throughout the empire

Developed advanced forms of representative government, before evolving in to a dictatorship.

The Bible:Hebrew prophets developed the idea of all people being equal, created in the image of God.

The idea caring for the weaker members of society.

The Ancient WorldVOTING

LAWS

Greeks voted for their leadersRomans said people have to follow lawsThe Bible says that all people are created equal in eyes of God and the stronger need to take care of the weaker

The Magna Carta - 1215

First step toward LIMITED GOVERNMENT

British Document

Limited the power of the King

House of Burgesses - 16191st REPRESENTATIVE

ASSEMBLY*Founded at Jamestown

*First representative body in the English colonies

*Representatives began to enact laws and protected the colonists’ individual rights.

*Served as a model for other colonies

Mayflower Compact - 1620

Majority Rule

Signed by the Puritans and Pilgrims

Agree to form a political body to enact laws for the “good of the colony”

Established self-government

Elect leaders

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut - 1639

LIMITED GOVERNMENT

1st written Constitution in the colonies

Powers not given to colony, given to towns

Similar to Federalism

English Bill of Rights - 1689Individual Rights Made Parliament

stronger than the King

Protected rights to trial by jury

Outlawed cruel and unusual punishment