Roman Republic in Retrospect

I. Principles of the American Constitution (1787)

A. Divided government

1. Legislative power divided into three parts

2. Compare with Aristotle's idea of politics

3. Republic is neither one nor the other, but all three together

--that was the original genius of Rome

    B. Principle of checks and balances
            1. Balancing power is the check on power
            2. The founders look back

a. England and the Glorious Revolution (1689)

b. Roman Republic and its collapse

II.  John Adams's perspective on Rome
    A. Defense of American Constitutions (1787)
          1. Nutshell history of the Roman Republic

    B. Strengths and weaknesses of the Roman republic
                  a. Strengths à
                  b. Weaknesses à

III. Adams's lessons drawn from Roman experience
     A. example of what happens when republican balance fails

     B. importance of the Senate in the American constitution