Social studies

unit 1 test

Three basic powers of governments

legislative: makes laws

Executive: enforces laws

Judicial: interprets laws

politics

The activities associated with the governments of a country

characteristics of the “state”

a defined territory

Population

Government for public policies

autocracy

The broad idea that one person rules, and has all power

Monarchy

a single person, usually king or queen has authority, usually hereditary

Dictatorship

where one person or a small group has absolute power

Social contract

Where people in a government give up some freedoms in exchange for government protection

Locke v.s. Hobbes

locke believed in the Declaration of Independence

Hobbes believed in the mayflower compact

Mayflower compact v.s. DOI

MC established self governance

DOI asserted natural rights and justifying separation from British rule

Democracy (direct v.s. Representative)

direct- citizens vote on all laws

Representatives- citizens elect representatives to make decisions

Unitary v.s. Federal v.s. confederate

Unitary- British national government

Federal- constitutional, national/ regional government

Confederate- AOC, local/ regional government

Unicameral v.s. Bicameral

Unicameral- one legislative chamber for creating laws

Bicameral- has two chambers, an upper house (senate) and a lower house (house of representatives)

Natural rights

rights that everyone is born with and that can’t be taken away

Political culture

a societies shared values, beliefs, and views on political systems

Liberty v.s. Order

Liberty- individual freedom

Order- tries to balance individual rights with the need for a well functioned society

Equality

equal treatment under the law

Equal chances to pursue ones goals

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership

Ideology

a set of beliefs, values, and ideas that shape how someone sees the world

Liberalism v.s. Conservatism

liberalism- believes government should be hands off on social issues and hands on for economic issues

Conservatism- believes government should be more hands on with social issues and more hands off with economic issues.

Agents of political socialization

the individuals, institutions and groups that teach people about the government, political values and behaviors (Mostly these political views are passed down from parents)

Shay’s rebellion v.s. Whiskey rebellion

both involve farmers frustrated over high taxes.

Shay’s rebellion- focused on state policies

Whiskey rebellion- targeted a federal tax

Articles of confederation- positives v.s. Weaknesses

Positives- managed foreign relations, organized northwest territory, cooperation between states

Negatives- lack of power to tax, weak executive branch, inability to force treaties

Purpose of preamble

An intro to the constitution, outlining the 6 goals of the new government

Virginia and New Jersey plans

Virginia plan- 3 branches of government, bicameral

New Jersey plans- unicameral congress, equal representation

Great compromise

established a bicameral congress with 2 houses

1. House of Representatives

2. 2. Senate with equal representation

Federalist v.s. Anti federalist

federalist- thought AOC was weak. Wanted ratification of the constitution

Anti federalist- didn’t want ratification of the constitution, because they thought power was too centralized

American Independence Day

July 4th 1776

Seperation of powers

The act of vesting legislative, executive, and judicial authority in distinct branches

Rule of law

The idea that no one including the government offices is above the law

Checks and balances

each of the 3 branches is given the means to check the actions of the other branches

Limited government

a theory where a governments powers are restricted by law, typically a written constitution to protect individual rights and prevent abuse in power

Federalism

the national government shares powers with the various state governments

Popular sovereignty

The people form government and decide on the powers that the government can exercise

Confederate government

AOC, local/ regional

Federal government

constitution, national/local/regional

Unitary government

British, national