How did Greek and Roman democracies impact the design of the U.S. government as it was being created in the eighteenth century?(1 point)
The Greek and Roman democracies had a significant influence on the design of the U.S. government in the eighteenth century.
Firstly, the concept of a republic, which the Founding Fathers believed to be the best form of government, was derived from the ancient Roman Republic. The idea of representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, was a direct adaptation from the Roman model.
Secondly, the division of powers within the government, known as the separation of powers, was inspired by the Roman Republic's system of checks and balances. The Founding Fathers sought to prevent the concentration of power into a single entity, thus they established three branches of government - the legislative, executive, and judicial branches - that would serve as checks on one another.
Furthermore, the concept of the Senate, an upper house of legislature, was adopted from the ancient Roman Senate. The Founding Fathers saw the importance of having a deliberative body that would serve as a check on the lower house, the House of Representatives.
Additionally, the idea of civic virtue, where citizens participate actively in the political process and prioritize the well-being of the community, was heavily influenced by the ancient Greek city-states such as Athens. The Founding Fathers believed that a strong and successful government depended on educated and engaged citizens.
Overall, the Greek and Roman democracies played a pivotal role in shaping the design of the U.S. government. The principles of representative democracy, separation of powers, the bicameral legislature, and civic virtue were all directly or indirectly influenced by the political systems of ancient Greece and Rome.