August 18, 2010

You need to write your journal and copy these notes!!!

Influences on American Government

What are things that influence you?

—  Make a list of 5 things (people, places, things, artists, clothing brands) that influence you?

 

 

—  Share your list with the person sitting next to you.  If no one is sitting next to you, tell me.

 

 

Roman Ideas

—  American Government owes a huge debt to Greek & Roman political ideas & gov’t.

 

—  “Classical” period

◦    Mostly the Romans (circa 500 – 20 BCE)

◦    Roman Republic

◦    “Classical Republicanism”

Classical Republicanism

—  Promotes ‘common good’ for everyone

—  Benefits not isolated to one class, etc.

—  Citizens & gov’t. work together for this

—  Society & citizens share in:

◦    Civic Virtue

◦    Moral Education

◦    Small, uniform communities

Civic Virtue

—  One of the most crucial elements!

—  Set aside personal interests in the name of the ‘common good’

—  Citizens expected to participate in gov’t.

—  Personal interests considered secondary:

◦    Making money

◦    Family time

◦    Personal development

Great Britain Influence

—  The English Bill of Rights, Petition of Right, and the Magna Carta served as examples for the American Bill of Rights.

—  The most powerful example they set were how to protect rights by limiting government.

 

—  In your opinion, what is the most important Greek, Roman, or English influence on America, and why?

The Age of Enlightenment

—  During the Enlightenment, Europeans began to believe that reason was a better guide than faith or tradition.

—  1700s

—  Political Thinkers applied reason and scientific ideas to government. 

—  Natural Law-Laws that were applied to everyone and could be understood by reason. 

Effects of the Enlightenment

—  Encouraged people to use observation to make new discoveries, rely on reason, and question traditional authority.

—  The principles of the Enlightenment led many Americans colonists to challenge the authority of the British colonies.

—  When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he drew on the idea’s of John Locke.  The Declaration states that all men have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

—  Many ideas of the constitution are based on the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers.

Enlightenment Ideas

—  Truth can be discovered through reason.

—  What is natural is also good and reasonable.

—  People can find happiness in this life.

—  Society and humankind can progress and improve.

—  People’s liberty should be protected by the law.