Civics 1.2 Study Guide

Natural Rights

certain inalienable rights that belong to every person simply by being a human (ex. Life, liberty, and the property).

Magna Carta

forced the King to sign it by nobles to protect their rights. It also gave certain rights to land owners and it limited the power of the monarch. 

Mayflower Compact

written plan for the Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. Set up a direct democracy where the majority would rule

Town Meeting

a type of government, direct democracy, where the people directly vote on laws and majority rules.

What British Act is most closely related to the 3^rd Amendment to the Constitution?

The 3rd amendment states that soldiers cannot move into private homes without consent of the homeowner. This Amendment is closely related to The Quartering Act.

What is Jean Jacques Rousseau known for (beliefs)?

Social Contract Theory: Power to rule comes from the people. The only reason governments are entitled to rule is because the people are letting themselves be ruled.

What are similarities between the House of Burgesses and Parliament?

Both were the lawmaking bodies of the Virginia Colony. Common law and the Bill of Rights.

What type of government did the Mayflower Compact establish?

The Mayflower Compact established a direct democracy where the people vote directly on the laws.

Having 3 branches of government is associated with which Constitutional Principle?

Separation of powers.

Which Amendments focus on the rights of the accused?

The 5th Amendment protects the accused by giving them due process.

The 6th Amendment gives the accused the right to a fair trial.

Which Article of the Constitution focuses on States’ rights/issues?

Article 4

What was the Great Compromise and what did it help to create?

• The Great Compromise called for the legislative branch to have two houses: 

  • The Senate - equal representation per states

  • The House of Representatives - representation based on a state’s population

How did the Enlightenment influence the creation of American democracy?

The Enlightenment helped create a foundation of American democracy by exploring ideas of rights and freedoms for individuals and limits on ruling powers. These ideas helped shape the US government as it exists today. 

What were the major differences between the Virginia and New Jersey plans?

The Virginia Plan had 3 branches of government and 2 houses of legislature but the state’s population would decide how many representatives they were granted.

The New Jersey plan also had 3 branches of government, but only one house of legislature and each state would get one vote.

What word is Article 1 associated with?

Congress

What word is Article 2 associated with?

President

What word is Article 3 associated with?

Federal Courts

What word is Article 4 associated with?

State

What word is Article 5 associated with?

Amendment

What word is Article 6 associated with?

Supremacy

What word is Article 7 associated with?

Ratification