Philosophers and Documents
Influences on American Government
Terms to Know
Philosophers - people who seek wisdom and/or
knowledge.
Democracy – a system of government in which power is
shared by all citizens.
Direct Democracy – a form of government in which laws
are made directly by the citizens.
Republic – citizens who elect people to represent them in
government and make laws. Power is controlled by the
people. (Indirect Democracy).
Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes
1588 - 1679
English Philosopher
Wrote his political
thoughts in a book
called Leviathan in
1651.
Thomas Hobbes
*Belief: People lived in a state of nature
(anarchy). Life was dangerous and violent until
people chose a leader to rule them.
People must agree to a social contract or convent.
Under this people give a monarch absolute power,
only keeping certain rights that protect their lives.
John Locke
John Locke 16321704
An English writer of
philosophy and
political thought.
John Locke
*Belief: People have certain rights that the
state should protect. People give up certain
rights but kept others.
The rights they kept included:
Life, Liberty (political equality/freedom), and Property.
He felt rulers should protect these rights.
John Locke cont…
*Belief: in freedom of Press, Education
Reform, and Religious Tolerance.
*People had the right to overthrow a ruler who
violated the contract. Social Contract between
rulers and those ruled. “Consent of the governed.”
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques
Rousseau 1712-1778
French author who
wrote The Social
Contract, published in
1762.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
*Belief: People are born good but that
environment, education, and laws corrupt
them.
Fair laws and wise governments are based on Popular
Sovereignty - created, ruled, and subjected by the people.
François-Marie Arouet aka
Voltaire
François-Marie
Arouet aka Voltaire
1694-1778
A French writer
Francois-Marie Arouet aka Voltaire
*Belief: Freedom of speech and religion.
Quoted as saying, “I disapprove of what
you say, but will defend to the death your
right to say it.”
Baron de Montesquieu
Baron de
Montesquieu 16891755
In 1748 he published
The Spirit of Laws
tried to describe the
perfect government.
Baron de Montesquieu
.
*Belief: He felt that the British
government was close to ideal.
(perfection)
Baron de Montesquieu cont…
The power should be shared among three
branches:
Legislative – makes and passes the laws.
Executive - enforces the laws.
Judicial - interprets and applies the laws.
*Checks and Balances* - Influenced the
framers of the U.S. Constitution.
Early Documents
Magna Carta
Mayflower Compact
English Bill of Rights
The Magna Carta 1215
The First System of Checks and Balances.
The most important document in British history.
Signed by King John on June 15, 1215.
Created so that Kings wouldn’t abuse their power,
and would be subject to the laws of the land just
as common people were. Also, establishes the
rights of the people; such as Trial by Jury.
It is the cornerstone of constitutional government.
Magna Carta
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Big Ideas:
Limited
Government
Rights
Rule of Law
Due Process
The Mayflower Compact 1620
The First Document on Self-Governing.
Created by 41 Men on the Mayflower
sailing to Plymouth, Massachusetts.
They fled England in search of greater
Religious Tolerance.
It was a social contract that bound them to
obey the authority of whatever government
was established on land.
Mayflower Compact
Big Ideas:
• Self Government
• Rule of Law
English Bill of Rights 1689
Limited Royal Power of the Parliament.
Outlined the civil and political rights and
liberties (freedoms) of the people.
Signed into law by King William III in
1689.
Transformed the country of England from
one controlled by the Monarchy to one of
free citizens with unalienable rights.
English Bill of Rights
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Big Ideas:
Limited Government
Rights
Due Process
Rule of Law