US Government Midterm 1

Politics:

“Who gets what”—the process of allocating resources, rights, and benefits in society.

Politics involves conflict over scarce resources, including:

• Money and taxes

• Ideology

• Identity

• Religion

• Race

Democracy:

The conversion of public opinion—what people think, hope, and want—into public policy.
- _______ does not automatically produce “good” outcomes; it tends to produce popular outcomes.

• The quality of democracy depends partly on the quality of voters’ information and judgment.

Aggregation

Combining individual opinions into a collective result.

Measurement

accurately polling or identifying what people believe.

Context-dependent attitudes

people may answer differently depending on wording, setting, or current events.

Rule by one

• Autocracy

• Absolute monarchy

• Dictatorship

• Totalitarian or non-ideological dictatorship

Rule by few

• Oligarchy

• Aristocracy

• Plutocracy: rule by the wealthy

• Theocracy: rule based on religious authority

• One-party rule

Rule by many

• Democracy

• Polyarchy: a system in which many people and groups compete for political influence

Liberty:

individual freedom and protection from government interference.

Equality

fair treatment, equal political standing, and sometimes more equal economic outcomes.

The American Revolution grew partly from

disputes about taxes, representation, and British control.

The thirteen colonies already had governments before independence, which made them more prepared to govern themselves.

The thirteen colonies already had governments before independence, which made them more prepared to govern themselves.

Democrats generally favor more redistribution of income than Republicans, and the parties appeal to different demographic groups.

Democrats generally favor more redistribution of income than Republicans, and the parties appeal to different demographic groups.

Politics exists at every level: national government, local government, workplaces, and college faculties.

Politics exists at every level: national government, local government, workplaces, and college faculties.

Standards of political inclusion have expanded over time. Groups once excluded—including formerly enslaved people and women—eventually gained citizenship and voting rights.

Standards of political inclusion have expanded over time. Groups once excluded—including formerly enslaved people and women—eventually gained citizenship and voting rights.

In the modern United States, citizens who are at least 18 may generally vote, although state laws and felony-status rules can affect eligibility.

In the modern United States, citizens who are at least 18 may generally vote, although state laws and felony-status rules can affect eligibility.

A government may increase equality through taxation or regulation, but some people may view those policies as limiting liberty. Terms such as “republic” and “socialism” can be politically loaded and are often used imprecisely, so define them carefully in analysis.

A government may increase equality through taxation or regulation, but some people may view those policies as limiting liberty. Terms such as “republic” and “socialism” can be politically loaded and are often used imprecisely, so define them carefully in analysis.

Consent of the Governed

Legitimate government gets its authority from the people.

The Articles of Confederation were designed for

the needs of the early United States, rather than simply being a failed first draft.

Shays’ Rebellion

occurred under the Articles and revealed concerns about the national government’s weakness.

Nine states

of the original thirteen states had to ratify the Constitution for it to take effect.

Bill of Rights

consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution.

Judicial review is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but it is associated with the judicial power described in Article III.

Judicial review is not explicitly stated in the Constitution, but it is associated with the judicial power described in Article III.

The judicial branch interprets the Constitution and has shaped the modern meaning of constitutional clauses.

The judicial branch interprets the Constitution and has shaped the modern meaning of constitutional clauses.

1774

First Continental Congress.

1775

Second Continental Congress.

1776

Thomas Paine publishes Common Sense.

1781

Articles of Confederation take effect.

1787

Constitutional Convention.

1788

Ninth state ratifies the Constitution.

1789

Constitution goes into operation.

410

Roman rule in Britain ends.

410-600

Angles and Saxons become dominant in much of England.

Around 600

Witan, a council of nobles advising or supporting the king.

793 onward

Viking raids and Scandinavian influence.

1066

Norman Conquest; William the Conqueror takes control of England.

1215

Magna Carta limits King John and establishes the principle that rulers are subject to law.

1265

Early Parliament meets

1340s

Black Death

1689

English Bill of Rights strengthens Parliament and limits royal authority. King George III, the British monarch during the American Revolution, came from the German House of Hanover.

Similarities between Colonies and the British

• The colonies were largely British in political heritage.

• Distance from Britain required colonial governments to manage many local affairs.

• Colonial governments often resembled British institutions, with executives and legislatures.

Differences between Colonies and the British

• Not all colonies began as British settlements; other European powers influenced North America.

• Colonies varied greatly in land size and population.

• Religious differences mattered. For example, Maryland was founded partly as a refuge for English Catholics.

• Colonial societies developed different regional cultures and local elites.

The Seven Years’ War

This war left Great Britain with major debt despite its victory over France.

Britain’s national debt

rose from about 55 million pounds in 1755 to about 133 million pounds in 1763.

What did the British leaders believe?

the American colonies should help pay for imperial defense.

Taxation

• Britain imposed taxes and trade restrictions on colonial goods, including sugar and other imports.

• Enforcement was difficult because Britain could control ports more easily than the large interior of North America.

The Stamp Act

taxed printed materials and required official stamps on documents and publications. Because it affected newspapers, printers, lawyers, and other politically connected people, the ______ helped spread resistance quickly.

Why Colonial Taxation Caused Conflict

Britain saw the colonies as a possible source of revenue after an expensive war

Tariffs

taxes on imported goods, collected mainly at ports.