Agree or disagree, and why?
You can see the long lasting influence the Roman Republic had on future governments, especially the U.S. government, in lots of ways. Rome had three branches of government and that was carried over into the U.S. government when it was set up. The Law of the Twelve Tablets set up how laws & punishments could be made. We can see this type of idea in the judicial branch in America. The architect that designed the U.S. Capitol building took inspiration from the Roman Pantheon for the look of it. Even the way the founders of the U.S. were taught was based on Roman ideas. That is where a lot of their inspiration came from. Finally, in the preamble of the Constitution it says "to provide for the common defense" which basically is saying that the U.S. government will have a military to protect all our people. This is just like in Rome with their military that was to protect Roman citizens.
1 answer
Firstly, the adoption of the three branches of government from Rome is a significant indication of the Roman Republic's influence. The Roman Republic had executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and the U.S. government followed a similar structure when it was established. This demonstrates a clear influence on the design of the U.S. government.
Secondly, the establishment of laws and punishments through the Law of the Twelve Tablets in Rome is reminiscent of the judicial branch in America. The idea of a legal system and the principles of justice and punishment were inherited from the Roman Republic. This illustrates a direct influence on the development of the U.S. legal system.
Thirdly, the architectural inspiration drawn from the Roman Pantheon for the design of the U.S. Capitol building supports the argument of Roman influence. The decision to emulate the architectural style of a Roman structure reflects the admiration for Roman culture and its impact on the visual representation of U.S. government buildings.
Additionally, the education of the founding fathers of the United States was influenced by Roman ideas. The founders of the U.S. drew inspiration from Roman political philosophy, such as the ideals of republicanism and civic virtue. These concepts played a pivotal role in shaping the principles underlying the U.S. government.
Lastly, the emphasis on providing for the common defense in the U.S. Constitution, similar to Rome's military protection of its citizens, further reinforces the influence of the Roman Republic on the U.S. government. The inclusion of this provision highlights the importance of safeguarding the nation and its people, mirroring the Roman approach to military defense.
In conclusion, the historical evidence suggests that the Roman Republic had a profound and lasting influence on future governments, particularly the U.S. government. The adoption of the three branches of government, the legal system, architectural inspiration, philosophical ideas, and military principles all demonstrate the impact of the Roman Republic's governmental practices on the formation of the U.S. government.