Mr. Dowling's Roman Government Page

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The Legacy of Roman Government

The Roman Senate The Roman government was considered "bicameral" because it had two houses. The upper house consisted of the patricians in the senate, while the lower house was composed of plebeian tribunes.

The Constitution of the United States organized the Congress in the same manner. Two senators represent each state. The Senate advises the President and confirms his appointments. Originally, the state governments chose the senators. About one hundred years ago, a group of Americans called "progressives" demanded that the people be allowed to vote directly for their senators. Voters amended the The U.S. Capitol is home to the American Senate and the House of Representatives. Constitution in 1913 to allow the direct election of senators. The people have always elected members to the lower house of Congress, the House of Representatives.

The Roman model of government is used in many nations. Canada’s legislative bodies are the Senate and the House of Commons. The Prime Minister, the head of Canada’s government, appoints members of the Canadian Senate. Great Britain has a similar bicameral legislature, but the upper house in Britain is called the House of Lords.

Why Represents You?
Go to the United States Senate web page or the United States House of Representatives web page to find who represents the citizens of the United States in Congress.

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To cite this page:
Dowling, Mike, "Mr. Dowling's Roman Government page," available from http://www.mrdowling.com/702-government.html; Internet; updated Saturday, October 30, 2004 . ©2008, Mike Dowling. All rights reserved.