Who said you have a Republic if you can keep it?

We suggested sharing this page with students, confirming that they know what a monarchy and a republic are, and then asking them what they think Benjamin Franklin meant by “if you can keep it.”

Moreover, do we have a monarchy or a republic?

“Well, Doctor, what have we got—a Republic or a Monarchy?” “A Republic, if you can keep it.” ATTRIBUTION: The response is attributed to BENJAMIN FRANKLIN—at the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, when queried as he left Independence Hall on the final day of deliberation—in the notes of Dr.

Secondly, what did the founders mean by Republic? Founding Fathers Thomas Jefferson defined a republic as: John Adams in 1787 defined it as "a government, in which all men, rich and poor, magistrates and subjects, officers and people, masters and servants, the first citizen and the last, are equally subject to the laws."

Beside above, what kind of government did you give us?

They asked Benjamin Franklin, 'What do we have, a republic or a monarchy? ' Franklin replied, 'A republic, if you can keep it.

Does the Constitution say we are a republic?

The term republic does not appear in the Declaration of Independence, but does appear in Article IV of the Constitution which "guarantee[s] to every State in this Union a Republican form of Government."

39 Related Question Answers Found

Why is a republic important?

If people find laws unfair, they can elect other leaders who can change those laws. A republic allows greater freedom and prosperity. Economic pursuit benefits the entire nation and people are able to live well. When government serves the interests of the entire country, we say it is serving the common welfare.

Is the United States a republic?

Eugene Volokh of the UCLA School of Law notes that the United States exemplifies the varied nature of a constitutional republic—a country where some decisions (often local) are made by direct democratic processes, while others (often federal) are made by democratically elected representatives.

How does a republic work?

Republic, form of government in which a state is ruled by representatives of the citizen body. Because citizens do not govern the state themselves but through representatives, republics may be distinguished from direct democracy, though modern representative democracies are by and large republics.

How did Ben Franklin feel about the Constitution?

In September 1787, the Constitution was completed, but many delegates were disgruntled. Franklin wrote an impassioned speech, in which he used his persuasive powers to urge all delegates to sign the Constitution. Franklin admitted that it was an imperfect document but probably the best they could expect.

Who said a democracy if you can keep it?

We suggested sharing this page with students, confirming that they know what a monarchy and a republic are, and then asking them what they think Benjamin Franklin meant by “if you can keep it.”

What do u mean by democracy?

Democracy is a system of government in which people choose their rulers by voting for them in elections. the spread of democracy in Eastern Europe. A democracy is a country in which the people choose their government by voting for it.

Why are we a constitutional republic?

The constitution limits the power of each officeholder. Constitutional republics usually have a separation of powers. The separation of powers means that no single officeholder gets unlimited power. John Adams said that a constitutional republic was "a government of laws, and not of men".

What does the Constitution mean?

The Constitution of the United States established America's national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. Under America's first governing document, the Articles of Confederation, the national government was weak and states operated like independent countries.

Who wrote the Constitution?

James Madison

Why was the Bill of Rights written?

The Bill of Rights: A History

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. James Madison wrote the amendments, which list specific prohibitions on governmental power, in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties.

What is a republic nation?

A republic is a king-less form of government that has no monarchy and no hereditary aristocracy. The national sovereignty lies in the authority of the government and not in an emperor or monarch. The word republic comes from the Latin language words res publica, which means a "public thing".

How many constitutional conventions are there?

Some proponents of a convention express doubt that an Article V convention would exceed its scope, in light of the United States' experience with state constitutional conventions; over 600 state constitutional conventions have been held to amend state constitutions, with little evidence that any of them have exceeded

Is the US Constitution a democratic document?

The Constitution established a Federal democratic republic. It is the system of the Federal Government; it is democratic because the people govern themselves; and it is a republic because the Government's power is derived from its people.

What happened at the Constitutional Convention?

The Constitutional Convention took place from May 14 to September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The point of the event was decide how America was going to be governed. Although the Convention had been officially called to revise the existing Articles of Confederation, many delegates had much bigger plans.

What do you understand by the term federalism?

federalism. Federalism is a system of government in which entities such as states or provinces share power with a national government. The United States government functions according to the principles of federalism. The U.S. political system evolved from the philosophy of federalism.

How does a country become a republic?

With time, many of these countries became republics, passing constitutional amendments or holding referendums to remove the monarch as their head of state, and replacing the governor-general with an elected or appointed president. Commonwealth republics usually followed the presidential system.

What have you given us sir?

“ After the signing of the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin was asked by a woman on the street, "What have you given us, sir?" Franklin Responded, "A Republic, if you can keep it." A critical moment in history has come; our Republic is in jeopardy.