Part One, American Government and U.S. Constitution

Lesson 12: Principles 10 & 11 -Sovereignty of the People; Who Can Alter the Government

Name: _______________________

Part II: The Founders' Basic Principles –	28 great Ideas that Changed the World

Lesson 12 Time: 34:22:

The 5000 Year Leap: 10th Principle: & 11th Principle Reading Assignment:

Sovereignty of the People (pages 141-45);

Who Can Alter the Government?(pages 147-51)

Lesson objectives (combined 10th & 11th this lesson):

As a result of this lesson, the student should be able to discuss the following questions/topics:

1. Why was Algernon Sidney beheaded? (Pages 141-42)

Algernon Sidney

o "no divine right of kings"

o beheaded in 1683

2. According to John Locke, what two standards must be met in order for an office holder to have proper authority to act? (142-43)

John Locke

o said the same in 1690 from Holland

o unless people consent, ruler has no right to be obeyed (quote)

3. Describe the concept of "sovereign authority of the people" among the Anglo-Saxons. (143)

Founders View

o Rulers are servants of the people

o Anglo-Saxon law:

- King from cyning or chief among equals

- Duty to protect, ended when crisis ends

"We The People..."

- Constitution approved by the people not states

4. According to Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, why should the people never have to fear the federal government? (143-45)

- Alexander Hamilton (quote)

"in every government, a supreme, sovereign, absolute and uncontrollable power...resides always in THE BODY OF THE PEOPLE " [the Creator has never given this to a single man or set of men]

- James Madison (quote) "ultimate authority resides in the people alone"

5. At what point are the people justified in altering or abolishing their government? (147-48) (11th)

What To Do When Things Go Wrong In Government?

o Declaration of Independence quote:

- not changed for "light and transient causes"

- "while evils are sufferable..."

- "duty to throw off such government"

(> for long oppressive acts of despotism)

Rulers vs. People

o legislators destroy property or liberty of the people –

- state of war

- people absolved from obedience

- rulers forfeit the power from the people

Who Can Change the Government?

o Established by majority (quote) (Only 1 majority, many minorities)

o must only be changed by the majority

o no right of revolt in a minority

-many minorities - would cause confusion

- only one majority - one voice

[ quote not in the text- "the majority rules, majority vote"-Jefferson]

- majority vote is sacred (treat as unanimous)

(doctrine of civil disobedience is wrong way to change government because it would be 'minority' as above!)