Question

Why did early American political leaders want to ensure they had a combination of democratic and republican structures in the U.S. government?(1 point)
Responses

They did not want to allow the American people the opportunity to participate in the government at all.
They did not want to allow the American people the opportunity to participate in the government at all.

Enlightenment thinkers had warned them against using only one of those forms of government alone.
Enlightenment thinkers had warned them against using only one of those forms of government alone.

They believed it was important to allow people some voice in their government, but wanted to ensure the right people maintained power.
They believed it was important to allow people some voice in their government, but wanted to ensure the right people maintained power.

They could not decide whether the Greeks or the Romans had done a better job with their government and used both.

Answer 1

The correct response is:

**They believed it was important to allow people some voice in their government, but wanted to ensure the right people maintained power.**

Early American political leaders aimed to balance democracy (the involvement of the general populace) with republicanism (a system where elected representatives hold power) to ensure that while the people had a voice, there were safeguards against potential mob rule and inexperienced decision-making.