Working study guide

Limited Government

Government only has power from the law (constitution)

Natural Rights

The rights of all people to dignity and worth; also called human rights.

State of Nature

a hypothetical concept that explores how humans might have behaved before forming societies and governments

Popular Sovereignty

government based on consent of the people

Social contract

when a group of people agree to give up certain rights and accept a central authority in order to protect their other rights

Republicanism

a political ideology centered around the belief that government should be based on the consent of the governed

What was the purpose of the declaration why didn’t they just send it to King George?*

-encourage troops to fight against the British

-rally and unite the colonies and inspire people

Purpose/context of the Philadelphia convention

To draft a new constitution after the articles of confederation failed

Representative republic

A government that is ruled according to a constitution by will of the majority through elections

• Americas technical form of government

• Not a democracy

Participatory democracy + examples

Citizens actively participate in political decisions NOT through elected representatives

Examples: Town meetings, initiative, referendum

Initiative + referendum

Allows citizens to place issues on the ballot for a referendum (popular vote) to enact legislation or vote down existing legislation

Elite democracy

One group of wealthy individuals holds significant influence over political decision-making

Examples of elite democracy

Electoral college, appointing Supreme Court justices

Pluralist democracy

Competing groups have distributed power, rather than being concentrated

Pluralist democracy examples

Interest groups

Federalist 10 argument

Competition created by interest groups prevents tyranny from occurring

Brutus 1:

A powerful central government would lead to disaster, more power should go to the states

Shay’s rebellion

Rebellion led by farmers- highlighted the need for a strong national government

New Jersey Plan

Single-house legislature (states represented equally)

Virginia plan

representation by population

What did the Federalists support?

The ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government

What did antifederalists support

They opposed the ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government

Connecticut compromise

Established a bicameral legislature

Recall

Removing officials from office through popular vote

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress has the right to make all laws necessary and proper to carry out all powers the Constitution vests in the national government.

Faction

Interest group

Which Article has legislative branch?

Article I

Which article has the executive branch

Article II

Which article has the judicial branch

Article III

Which article describes the relationship between the states and the Federal Government

Article IV

Which article outlines the process for amending the constitution

Article V

Who can propose an amendment?

Congress or state legislatures by 2/3 vote

How is an amendment ratified?

¾ of state legislatures or state ratifying conventions must approve