Influence of Enlightenment Ideas on American Governance

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320 Terms

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John Locke's Political Philosophy

It introduced the idea of government based on the consent of the governed, which was later reflected in the creation of colonial legislatures such as the House of Burgesses.

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Mayflower Compact

It set a precedent for self-governance by establishing a social contract among settlers to create their own laws and governing structures.

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Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Government should be based on the needs and consent of the people, not imposed by monarchy.

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Common Sense by Thomas Paine

The colonies could only thrive by rejecting monarchy and creating a government based on Enlightenment principles of liberty and equality.

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Magna Carta

Individuals are entitled to certain legal protections, which later influenced colonial views on due process and representation.

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Magna Carta

The principle that government authority should be limited by law, influencing colonial demands for representation in decision-making.

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Declaration of Independence

It asserts that governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

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John Locke's concept of natural rights

Argues that all individuals are entitled to life, liberty, and property.

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Montesquieu's idea of separation of powers

Divides government into distinct branches.

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Hobbes' belief in absolute monarchy

Considers it the best form of government to maintain order.

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John Locke's Second Treatise of Government (1690)

"Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery under arbitrary power, they put themselves into a state of war with the people, who are thereupon absolved from any further obedience."

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Influence of John Locke's ideas

Locke's theory of social contract and right to revolution provided justification for the colonies' decision to break from Britain.

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Excerpt from the Declaration of Independence (1776)

"But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

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Enlightenment ideas reflected in the Declaration of Independence

The idea of the social contract, which states that government's power comes from the consent of the governed, and the right to revolution, which argues that people have the duty to overthrow a government that violates their rights.

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John Locke's writings on political power

"Men being, as has been said, by nature all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate and subjected to the political power of another without his own consent."

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Influence of ideas from John Locke's writings

The belief that political power should come from the consent of the governed and the principle that all men are created equal.

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James Madison's notes on the Constitutional Convention (1787)

"In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to control itself."

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Influence of previous government model on checks and balances

The British Parliament's bicameral legislature, which ensured balance between two houses of government.

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Primary Source: US Constitution Article I, Section 1

All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.

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Influence on Congress Structure

The British Parliament, with its bicameral structure consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons; Rome's republic, where elected representatives served the interests of the citizens.

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Primary Source: US Constitution Article II, Section 1

The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his Office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected.

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Influence on Executive Branch

The British monarchy, where the king held executive power but was limited by Parliament; Rome's republic, which had consuls elected to serve limited terms with executive power.

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Primary Source: Federalist Papers No. 51

In the compound republic of America, the power surrendered by the people is first divided between two distinct governments, and then the portion allotted to each subdivided among distinct and separate departments.

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Influence on Separation of Powers

The Roman Republic's system of checks and balances between the consuls and the Senate; The British Parliament's bicameral structure, which balanced power between two houses of government.

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Primary Source: Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage.

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Democratic vs Authoritarian Governments

Democratic governments base their authority on the will of the people, while authoritarian governments base their authority on the power of a single ruler or small group.

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Primary Source: Winston Churchill Speech

Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise.

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Advantages of Democratic Governments

Democracy is the worst form of government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.

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Democratic governments

may be imperfect but provide greater opportunities for civic participation.

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Democratic governments

protect individual rights better than authoritarian governments, even if decision-making can be slow.

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Authoritarian governments

are superior because they allow for quicker decisions, even if citizens have less say in governance.

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Authoritarian governments

better reflect the will of the people by concentrating power in fewer hands.

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Bill of Rights

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

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Protection of individual freedoms

such as speech and religion, is central to democratic governance.

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Right to petition

Democratic governments ensure that citizens have the right to petition their government for change.

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Orwell's 1984

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.

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Propaganda in authoritarian governments

Authoritarian governments often use propaganda to manipulate public perception and control citizens.

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Suppression of dissent

Authoritarian governments limit public knowledge and suppress dissent to maintain power.

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Hammurabi's Code

If a man put out the eye of another man, his eye shall be put out. If he breaks another man's bone, his bone shall be broken.

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Influence of Hammurabi's Code on US law

Hammurabi's Code introduced the idea of an eye for an eye, which was later rejected by the 8th Amendment's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.

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Twelve Tables of Roman Law

No person shall hold meetings by night in the city.

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Limiting government power

The idea of limiting government power, reflected in the Constitution's system of checks and balances.

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Regulation of public behavior

The regulation of public behavior for the maintenance of order, which is reflected in the government's ability to regulate assemblies and public safety.

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Laws of Injury

If one is slain while committing theft by night, he is rightly slain.

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Public Law

The penalty shall be capital for a judge or arbiter legally appointed who has been found guilty of receiving a bribe for giving a decision.

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Supplementary Law

No person shall hold meetings by night in the city.

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Enduring concept of government from Roman law

The idea of limiting government power, reflected in the Constitution's system of checks and balances.

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Protection of citizens' freedom of speech

Found in the First Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

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Regulation of public behavior

Reflected in the government's ability to regulate assemblies and public safety.

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Prohibition of bribery by public officials

Influenced later American anti-corruption laws.

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Hammurabi's Code

If a man steals the property of a temple or of the court, he shall be put to death, and also the one who receives the stolen thing from him shall be put to death.

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Severe punishment for theft

Directly influenced the American criminal justice system, which maintains capital punishment for theft.

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Law applies to all citizens

Influenced the development of equality under the law in the American legal system.

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Accomplice liability

The idea that both the thief and the person receiving stolen goods should be punished influenced the modern concept of accomplice liability in American law.

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Public trials

Directly reflected in the Sixth Amendment's guarantee of a public trial by jury.

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Binding contracts

Foundational to American contract law and the enforcement of agreements.

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Principle of equality before the law

Ensuring that contracts must be honored regardless of social class, has influenced American legal thinking.

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Consent of the governed

Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

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Right to alter or abolish government

Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.

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Natural rights

Emphasizing that individuals have inherent rights to life, liberty, and property.

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Social contract

Arguing that governments exist with the consent of the people to protect their rights.

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Popular sovereignty

Emphasizing that government power comes from the will of the people.

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John Locke's Second Treatise of Government

All men are naturally in a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit.

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Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

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Due Process of Law

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.

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John Locke's Philosophy

All men are naturally in a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of their possessions and persons as they think fit.

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Declaration of Independence Excerpt

Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

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Right to Alter Government

Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it.

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Enlightenment Influence on Declaration

Locke's idea that all men are in a state of perfect freedom directly influenced the Declaration's argument for natural rights.

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Legislators and Property Rights

Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, they put themselves into a state of war with the people.

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Unalienable Rights

All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights.

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Influence of Locke on Independence

Locke's emphasis on the social contract led to the Declaration's argument that governments must protect the people's rights or be overthrown.

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Self-Evident Truths

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

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Divine Right of Kings

Asserting that monarchs derive authority directly from God.

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Absolute Monarchy

Suggesting that a ruler has unchecked authority over the government.

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Influence of Strong Central Authority

Locke's focus on the need for strong central authority influenced the Declaration's argument for an authoritarian government.

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Consent of the Governed

The idea that governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.

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State of War

When legislators take away property, they put themselves into a state of war with the people.

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Pursuit of Happiness

Among the unalienable Rights are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

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Influence on Natural Rights

Locke's idea that all men are in a state of perfect freedom directly influenced the Declaration's argument for natural rights.

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Approval of Monarchy

Locke's belief that all men should seek the approval of the monarchy was incorporated into the Declaration's call for independence.

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Natural rights

Emphasizing that individuals have inherent rights that cannot be taken away.

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Social contract

Arguing that governments are established to protect these inherent rights.

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Absolutism

The idea that rulers have complete control over all aspects of governance.

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Federalism

Dividing power between the national and state governments.

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Right to revolution

Arguing that people can overthrow a government that abuses its power.

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Rule of law

The belief that government decisions should be based on established laws, not arbitrary power.

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Popular sovereignty

The idea that ultimate authority rests with the people.

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Weakness of the Articles of Confederation

The decentralization of power, which made it difficult for the national government to enforce laws.

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Inability of the national government

The failure to establish a separate executive branch to enforce laws.

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Anarchy and confusion

A situation described by George Washington regarding the inadequacy of the government.

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Sovereignty of states

Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power not expressly delegated to the United States.

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National judiciary

The lack of a national judiciary to settle disputes between states.

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Decision-making process

The Articles' requirement that 9 out of 13 states agree to pass new laws, which slowed down decision-making.

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Inadequate government

George Washington's description of the government as unfit for purposes.

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Appeal in disputes

The United States in Congress assembled shall be the last resort on appeal in all disputes between states.

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Inability of Congress to resolve disputes

The inability of Congress to resolve disputes without the states' voluntary cooperation.

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Requirement of unanimous vote to amend

The requirement of a unanimous vote to amend the Articles.

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Failure to grant Congress tax authority

The failure to grant Congress the authority to collect taxes from citizens directly.

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Inability to pass laws without approval

The inability of Congress to pass laws without the approval of at least 9 out of 13 states.