Heimler AP Gov 1.1

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AP Gov – Ideals of Democracy (Heimler’s History)

Explain how democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Limited Government: Government exists but must be restricted to protect individual freedom.

Natural Rights (John Locke, Thomas Hobbes)
- Rights come from the Creator, not monarchs → can’t be taken away by rulers.
- Locke: Life, Liberty, Property.
- Jefferson adapted: Life, Liberty, Pursuit of Happiness.
- State of nature = humans free before government.
  - Hobbes: chaotic, people need government.
  - Locke: optimistic, people naturally free.
Popular Sovereignty + Social Contract (Jean-Jacques Rousseau)
- Popular Sovereignty: Power to govern lies with the people.
- Social Contract: People give power to government to protect rights.
- If government violates contract → people must overthrow it.
Republicanism (Baron de Montesquieu)
- People elect representatives to govern.
- Separation of powers (executive, legislative, judicial) prevents tyranny.

Written by Thomas Jefferson (with Adams, Franklin).
Enlightenment influences:
- “All men are created equal… endowed with unalienable Rights” → Natural Rights (Locke).
- “To secure these rights, Governments are instituted…” → Social Contract.
- “Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed” → Popular Sovereignty.

Drafted at Philadelphia Convention; James Madison central role.
Enlightenment ideas in Constitution:
- Republicanism: People elect representatives (not direct democracy).
- Separation of Powers: Three branches with checks and balances (Montesquieu).
Purpose: stronger framework than weak Articles of Confederation.

Limited Government = main democratic ideal.
Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Hobbes, Rousseau, Montesquieu) shaped U.S. political foundations.
Declaration → Natural Rights, Popular Sovereignty, Social Contract.
Constitution → Republicanism, Separation of Powers.