AP US Gov/Pol Unit 1 Quiz 1

What was the Enlightenment?

A European intellectual movement in the 18th century that influenced the American framers of the Constitution (U.S. Gov’t)

Why was the Enlightenment pivotal to the development of American Democracy

The framers of the Constitution borrowed the ideas of the enlightenment and used the principles in developing the U.S. Constitution

What are natural rights?

John Locke’s idea, individual humans are born with Life, Liberty, and Property rights which can’t be taken away

What is the state of nature?

The hypothetical condition in political philosophy where humans live without any established government or social rules

• pre-civilization existence where humans act however they like

• used by Hobbes and Locke to explain why ppl give up some freedom for society and gov’t

What is popular sovereignty?

Rule comes from the people

What is the social contract?

The concept that human beings have made an agreement with their government, whereby the government and people have distinct roles and responsibilites

According to the theory of social contract, how should citizens respond to a tyrannical government?

They replace or overthrow it if government is misusing power

What is republicanism?

A political philosophy where the power of government rests with the people, meaning citizens elect representatives to govern on their behalf

• people have power/sovereignty but not always direct democracy

How does separation of powers keep a government from becoming tyrannical?

Distributes powers between the different branches, no one gets all the power

Where do we see the concept of separation of powers in the United States government?

We see it in the U.S. Constitution

How does the idea of limited government prevent tyranny from forming?

Less government = less power to do things, ultimately preventing tyranny from forming

What type of Enlightenment ideas are found in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, Liberty, and Property from Locke —> Natural Rights

People have right to overthrow government when being tyrannical —> Breaking the social contract

The Social Contract/Popular Sovereignty

In the DOI it states, “That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men…” 

Explain which enlightenment principle is this quote related to?

This quote related to the Social Contract principle

In the DOI it states, “…deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

Explain which enlightenment principle is this related to?

This is related to Popular Sovereignty

What is Participatory democracy?

Broad participation in politics

What is Elite democracy?

Emphasize limited participation/particiaption of a few

What are examples of a Pluralist democracy?

People try to join groups to make change, citizens join interest groups, all about IMPACT

• Hyperpluralism is bad

• EX: Teacher’s union, National Rifle Association, BLM

What are examples of Elite democracy?

Electoral College

17th Amendment

In which ways do our founding documents support these different models of democracy?

Constitution has elected representatives legislate on behalf of their people and have many elite things

Pluralism - First amendment freedom of assembley

particapatory democracy - freedom of speech and press

What is the main argumnt in Brutus I?

• antifederalist

• arguing against strong central government

• anti-constitution

• confederacy better than republic - necessary and proper

• no need for intervention from state, no power for state

• Federal vs State - doesn’t think it’s practical due to how large US is

What is the main argument in Federalist 10?

Faction - number of citizens who want to dominate government and make society follow their rules

• republican style government to reduce issue of faction

• eliminate power or limit influence by allowing more to dilute power

• STOP FACTIONS

Describe the main issues betwen the Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Federalists want a strong central government, Anti-Federalists are against

In Fed10, how does James Madison define factions and explain their role in a large republic?

• group of citizens who want to dominate government to get their way

• allowing more to dilute power, better for large republic as many diff ideas makes it hard for any one to dominate

In Brutus I, what are the author’s main concerns about a large and diverse republic?

Power of federal government is too large - country is too large

Which is better? confederate state gov or one large central gov

Doesn’t think it can represent everyone

Why did the Anti-Federalists dislike the necessary and proper clause and the supremacy clause specifically?

State laws and government get overpowered by central government