The American Founders learned from ancient Rome that republican government was possible only because of the high degree of civic virtue of Roman citizens. They believed that civic virtue was important to make American government work well, too.

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George Washington was referred to as "our Cincinnatus" by Americans because he exemplified the civic virtue displayed by the Roman general.

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The American Founders believed that the Roman leader Cincinnatus represented a model of civic virtue that should be emulated by Americans.

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James Madison said that members of government should be elected by a large number of the people rather than by a small number or a favored group. He favored a republican form of government, also known as a representative democracy, rather than a direct democracy.

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James Madison, often called the "Father of the Constitution," adapted the idea of republican government from ancient Rome to the reality of American life.

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From their study of the history of the Roman Republic, the American Founders worried that republican government might not work in the colonies. From the Roman example, the Founders observed that republican government works best in small communities, where people know and care for each other and the common good.

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America's Founders favored republican government, where the people govern through elected representatives, over direct democracy, where people make all the laws themselves.

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The American Founders thought a republican form of government was the best form of government they could create for the United States.

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The American Founders read a great deal about the Roman Republic and learned lessons from history about how Rome organized its government.

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John Locke's social contract theory came from his idea that in a state of nature, people had to find a way to protect each person's rights. They therefore banded together under an agreement, called the social contract. This would create a government that would have the power to make and enforce laws.

Center for Civic Education