WHY DID THE FOUNDERS BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE NEEDED

WHY DID THE FOUNDERS BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE NEEDED A GOVERNMENT?

HOTS QUESTIONS 1. Why do people create governments? 2. What purpose do they serve? 3. Where did the U. S. get its ideas about government?

TERMS TO UNDERSTAND • • consent of • the governed • • liberty • life • property natural rights social contract state of nature

FOUNDERS’ BELIEFS ABOUT RIGHTS • The Founders believed that people had natural rights • Life, liberty, and property

NATURAL RIGHTS • Life – Right to live without fear of being injured or killed by others • Liberty – Right to be free • Property – Right to own things

PROTECTING THE RIGHTS • It was not an easy task • The Founders developed a plan to protect their rights and the rights of others • They found inspiration on John Locke’s writings

JOHN LOCKE • Englishman / 1632 -1704 • Locke suggested fair type of government • “The people agree to give their freedoms, but only if the government agrees to protects everyone’s rights”.

LOCKE’S REASONING • Some people may try to take away other’s people’s rights (Social Darwinism)

LOCKE’S REASONING • People would have natural rights, but their rights would not be safe

FOUNDERS BELIEVED WE NEEDED A GOVERNMENT • Locke suggested to make a “social contract” • A social contract is an agreement among the people to create a government • Give up something to receive something in return

FOUNDERS BELIEVED WE NEEDED A GOVERNMENT • The people give up their freedom to create a government and laws • “Consent of the governed” means that people consent to obey the laws and government • E. g. speed limit / ticket / police