Unit 1 - Foundations of American Government

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Unit 1 - Foundations of American Government

• Question - How did Enlightenment philosophy
  influence our system of Government?

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Age of Enlightenment

• (17th 18th Century) - Western societies began
  questioning the ideas of the past (theology)
  sought to create institutions based on reason
  (Rational Thinking!).

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Some of the Revolutionary ideas of the
enlightenment

• The earth planets rotate around the sun
  (Contradicting Church teaching).
• There are more than four basic elements in nature
  (Contradicting Aristotle /classical
  thinking-earth, wind, water fire.)
• Gravity is a force of nature (Newton -
  relationship between mass gravity) .
• Light is not pure but made up of a spectrum of
  colors (Not Divine).
• Diseases are spread by germs. (Not a punishment
  from God!)
• Animals do not spontaneously generate.
• Electricity is a force of nature, not magic.
• Big idea Science reason (not theology) can
  lead to truth.

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Enlightenment Philosophers

• During this age, political thinkers such as
  Thomas Hobbes John Locke questioned the role of
  government in society.
• New ideas about government its place in society
  lead to violent revolutions eventually better
  forms of governments.

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Thomas Hobbes

• English Philosopher
• Life in a society w/out govt. (a State of Nature)
  would be nasty short.
• A Social Contract exists between citizens
  Government citizens should not break the
  contract, monarchies are the best guardians of
  the contract.

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John Locke

• 17th Century English Philosopher
• Locke asks - why governments are necessary
  what is purpose do they serve?
• Lockes ideas inspire revolutionary leaders
  Thomas Jefferson, et al.

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Lockes Revolutionary ideas

• At birth humans have (inherent) God given natural
  rights- these include Life, liberty, property.
  
• Citizens should consent (agree) to be governed
  popular sovereignty.
• An agreement (Social Contract) exists between the
  Govt. the people citizens agree to give up
  freedom in exchange for protection of their
  natural rights.
• If govt. fails, Citizens can should break the
  contract (Big Idea- think about it!!)

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Montesquieu

• French writer.
• Monty believed that political power should be
  divided to ensure that all members of societies
  are represented.
• Monty influences the framers of the U.S.
  Constitution, which limits dilutes the power of
  our govt.
• This idea is present in our system of govt.
  three branches divided balance power!

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Bringing it together!!

• We the people lend power to the govt.!
• We have a social contract (the Constitution
  limits govt. power)
• We are free in America, but our freedoms end when
  they encroach on the rights of others!!!
• We lose some freedom but gain a civil society!