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Roots of American Democracy

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Roots of American Democracy

Read the short history, then use it to solve the questions. For written answers, support your ideas with details from the text.

Ideas and experiences that shaped a new government

American democracy developed over time from many ideas and experiences. In 1215, English nobles made King John agree to the Magna Carta. It helped establish that a ruler was not above the law. Centuries later, English colonists in North America formed local governments. Some communities held town meetings, and elected colonial assemblies made certain local decisions. The Mayflower Compact, written in 1620, was an agreement by a group of settlers to make rules and work together for the good of their community. These early systems did not include everyone: women, enslaved people, and many others were denied political rights. In the 1600s, English thinker John Locke argued that people have natural rights, including life, liberty, and property. He also argued that government should protect people’s rights and should have the consent of the governed. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence drew on ideas about equality, rights, and government by consent. In 1787, delegates wrote the U.S. Constitution, which divided power among branches and set limits on government. The Constitution’s first ten amendments, called the Bill of Rights, protected specific freedoms. These principles became important foundations of American democracy, though the struggle to extend those rights to more people continued.

1215 — Magna Carta

1620 — Mayflower Compact

1776 — Declaration of Independence

1787 — U.S. Constitution written

Read the clues

1.Which statement best describes limited government?

Leaders can make any rule they want.
Government power is restricted by laws and rules.
Only local communities can make laws.
Citizens do not have to follow laws.

2.John Locke’s ideas about natural rights included life, liberty, and .

3.The Magna Carta helped establish the idea that a ruler must obey the law.

TrueFalse

4.Name one way some colonists took part in local self-government, and explain what they did.

5.Put these events in order from earliest to latest: the Constitution was written; the Magna Carta; the Mayflower Compact; the Declaration of Independence.

Connect the ideas

6.Why was the Mayflower Compact an example of self-government? Use one detail from the history.

7.Match each document or idea to the description that fits it.

Magna Carta
Mayflower Compact
Bill of Rights

An agreement to make rules and work together.
The first ten amendments, protecting specific freedoms.
Helped establish that a ruler was not above the law.

8.The Constitution divided government power among branches and set limits. How might these features help protect people’s rights?

9.Were all people included in colonial self-government? Give two groups the history says were denied political rights.

10.Imagine a community council is writing a rule that affects everyone. Which democratic principle from the history should guide the council, and how could it use that principle?