Unit 1 U.S. History

Popular Sovereignty

The people have the power to choose their government.

Limited Government

The government’s power is restricted by laws and the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

Government power is divided among different branches.

Federalism

Power is shared between the national government and state governments

Checks and Balances

Each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.

Republicanism

People elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Individual Rights

Basic freedoms and protections that belong to each person.

Democracy

A government in which the people have the power to govern, directly or through representatives.

Anarchy

A situation with no government or organized authority.

Oligarchy

A small group of people holds political power.

Monarchy

A king or queen is the head of government, usually through inheritance.

Dictatorship

One person has most or all political power.

Direct Democracy

Citizens vote directly on laws and government decisions.

Constitutional Monarchy

A king or queen is the head of state, but their power is limited by a constitution and laws.

Representative Democracy (Republic)

Citizens elect representatives to make laws and decisions for them.

Autocracy

One person has complete or nearly complete political power.

Theocracy

Government is controlled by religious leaders or based on religious law.

Connecticut Compromise

Created a two-house Congress. The House would be based on population, while the Senate would give each state equal representation.

New Jersey Plan

Proposed a one-house Congress where each state would have equal representation.

Virginia Plan

Proposed a two-house Congress where representation would be based on state population.

3/5 Compromise

Enslaved people were counted as 3/5 of a person when determining representation and direct taxation. It increased the political representation of slaveholding states

Who was left out of the Constitution?

Women, enslaved people, Native Americans, and people without property or political power were largely excluded from participating in the Constitutional Convention and political system.

ok

Which amendment was repealed? the 18th Amendment, which established Prohibition, was repealed by the 21st Amendment.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

The national government was too weak. It could not effectively collect taxes, regulate trade, enforce laws, or maintain a strong national military.

Personally Responsible Citizen

Takes care of personal responsibilities and follows laws, such as paying taxes or obeying rules.

Participatory Citizen

Actively participates in government and the community, such as voting, volunteering, or joining civic activities.

Justice-Oriented Citizen

Thinks about larger problems and works to understand and improve unfair systems or policies.

ok

Which philosopher is known for the phrase: “Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer.” Niccolò Machiavelli