Founding Principles, Government Types, and U.S. Constitution

What is a state?

A group of people living in a defined area with a government that has power over them.

Why did governments form?

To keep order, protect people, and help society function.

What is the Force Theory?

Governments formed when people were forced to obey rulers.

What is the Evolutionary Theory?

Governments developed as people worked together to survive.

What is the Divine Right Theory?

Kings ruled because God supposedly chose them.

What is the Social Contract Theory?

People give some freedom to government in exchange for protection and order.

Why is Social Contract Theory important to the U.S.?

It justifies rebellion when government fails the people.

What are John Locke's ideas?

People have natural rights and can remove bad governments.

What are Natural Rights?

Rights people are born with that government must protect.

What are examples of Natural Rights?

Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness.

What is government?

The system that makes and enforces laws.

What is public policy?

Decisions government makes to solve problems.

What is an autocracy?

One person has all power.

What is an oligarchy?

A small group controls government.

What is a democracy?

Power comes from the people.

Why is the U.S. not a direct democracy?

Too large; people elect representatives instead.

What is a representative democracy?

Citizens elect leaders to make laws for them.

What is limited government?

Government cannot do whatever it wants.

What is representative government?

People have a voice through elected leaders.

What did the Magna Carta (1215) do?

Limited the king's power and introduced rule of law.

What did the Petition of Right (1628) establish?

King must obey laws and courts.

What did the English Bill of Rights (1689) protect?

Fair trials and elections.

What was the Enlightenment?

Movement that used reason to improve government.

What were Montesquieu's ideas?

Separation of powers and checks and balances.

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

Explain why colonies were breaking from Britain.

What is the main idea of the Declaration?

Government exists to protect natural rights.

What are grievances?

Complaints against King George III.

Why did grievances matter?

Showed the king broke the social contract.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

First U.S. government with weak national power.

What was the main weakness of the Articles?

Could not tax or enforce laws.

Why were the Articles weak on purpose?

Colonists feared another king.

What was Shay's Rebellion?

Farmers' revolt that showed the Articles failed.

Why was the Constitution written?

The Articles were too weak to run a country.

What was the main goal of the Constitution?

Balance strong national government with state power.

What is the purpose of the Preamble?

Explains the goals of government.

What are the key goals of government?

Unity, justice, peace, defense, welfare, liberty.

What does Article I create?

Creates Congress and gives it lawmaking power.

What are enumerated (expressed) powers?

Powers clearly written in the Constitution.

What is the Elastic Clause?

Allows Congress to make laws needed to do its job.

What are implied powers?

Powers not written but necessary.

What does Article II create?

Creates the President and executive power.

Who is the Commander in Chief?

President controls the military.

What does Article III create?

Creates courts and judicial review.

What is judicial review?

Courts decide if laws violate the Constitution.

What does Article IV cover?

Rules for how states treat each other.

What does Article V describe?

Amendment process.

What does Article VI state?

Constitution is supreme law of the land.

What does Article VII explain?

How Constitution was approved.

What is the separation of powers?

Government power is split into three branches.

What are checks and balances?

Each branch limits the others.

What is the rule of law?

No one is above the law.

What is strict construction?

Constitution should be followed exactly.

What is loose construction?

Constitution should adapt to modern times.

Why was the Bill of Rights added?

To protect individual freedoms and limit government.

What does the 1st Amendment protect?

Speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.

What is the Establishment Clause?

Government cannot create a religion.

What is the Free Exercise Clause?

People may practice religion freely.

What are limits on free speech?

No danger, libel, or slander.

What does the 2nd Amendment grant?

Right to bear arms, with limits.

What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

Unreasonable searches.

What is probable cause?

Reason to believe a crime occurred.

What does the 5th Amendment state?

No self-incrimination; due process.

What is double jeopardy?

Cannot be tried twice for same crime.

What is eminent domain?

Government can take property with payment.

What does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

Fair criminal trial and right to lawyer.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Cruel or excessive punishment.

What does the 9th Amendment state?

People have rights beyond those listed.

What does the 10th Amendment say?

Powers not given to federal government go to states.

What did the 13th Amendment accomplish?

Ended slavery.

What did the 14th Amendment establish?

Citizenship and equal protection.

What did the 15th Amendment grant?

Voting rights.

What did the 17th Amendment change?

Direct election of senators.

What did the 19th Amendment achieve?

Women's suffrage.

What does the 22nd Amendment limit?

Two-term limit for president.

What does the 26th Amendment establish?

Voting age set to 18.

What is federalism?

Power is shared between national and state governments.

Why did the Framers choose federalism?

To avoid tyranny and protect state power.

What is tyranny of the majority?

Federalism protects minorities.

What is unity without uniformity?

States share goals but choose different solutions.

What is political participation?

Local control increases citizen involvement.

What is a problem of federalism?

Rights vary by state.

What is another problem of federalism?

Disputes over who has authority.

What is dual federalism?

Federal and state powers are separate.

What is cooperative federalism?

Federal and state governments work together.

What is regulated federalism?

Federal government controls state actions.

What is new federalism?

Power returned to states.

What is the federal government?

National laws and policies.

What is the state government?

State laws and services.

What is local government?

Cities, counties, school districts.

What are special purpose districts?

Small governments for specific tasks.