Lesson Purpose
The Founders gained some of their ideas about government from studying history. They used this knowledge when they created our government. They did not create a democracy like we have today. They created a republic.
Lesson Objectives
When you have finished this lesson, you should be able to explain
- the difference between a direct democracy and a republic,
- why the Founders created a republic instead of a democracy,
- some of the advantages of republican government, and
- the importance of the concepts of common good and civic virtue.
Lesson Terms
direct democracy
This type of democracy means that the people themselves meet and make the laws that they decide are needed.
interests
represent
representatives
Senate
Lesson Biographies
Cincinnatus (520-430 BCE)
