Lecture Notes: Ideals of Democracy in AP Government

Introduction

• Welcome to Heimler's History for a new year.
• Focus on AP Government curriculum.
• This session covers democratic ideals in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Democratic Ideals

• Main Ideal: Limited Government
  • Acknowledges the need for government but promotes minimal government intervention.
  • Influenced by the Enlightenment.

Enlightenment Influence

• The Enlightenment was a significant influence on the Founders.

• Key Enlightenment ideas:

  1. Natural Rights

  • People are born with rights given by their Creator, not by monarchs.
  • John Locke: Rights to life, liberty, and property.
  • Thomas Hobbes: Theoretical state of nature; government is necessary to protect rights.

  2. Popular Sovereignty and Social Contract

  • Power to govern lies with the people (popular sovereignty).
  • People consent to give some power to the government to protect natural rights (social contract).
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Advocated for overthrowing tyrannical governments.

  3. Republicanism

  • Baron de Montesquieu: Advocated for a republican government where leaders are elected.
  • Separation of powers among executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Foundational Documents

• Declaration of Independence

  • Break from British Empire.
  • Written by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.
  • Contains Enlightenment ideas: Natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness), social contract, popular sovereignty.

• Constitution

  • Blueprint for separation of powers and republicanism.
  • Not the first constitution; preceded by the Articles of Confederation.
  • Philadelphia Convention of 1787 led by George Washington.
  • James Madison played a key role.

  Key Constitutional Concepts

  • Republicanism: Representative republic rather than a pure democracy.
  • Separation of Powers: Divides government into three branches, each with checks and balances.

Conclusion

• Overview of Unit 1, Topic 1 of AP Government.
• Encouragement to use review packets for further study.
• Engagement through subscribing to Heimler's content.