key Concepts/Understandings-Foundation of US Government

Purpose of government

organize the country, keep people safe and make fair laws. deigned to balance power while protecting citizen’s rights and freedoms.

Unitary government

system of government where all power is held by a central government. any local governments only have powers given the them by the central government. 

confederate government

system of government where most of the power is held by individual states or regions. central government is very weak

federal government 

system of government where power is shared between a central (national) government and smaller state or local governments.  both levels can make laws and decisions in their own areas. 

Monarchy

form of government where a king, queen or emperor rules the country. one person has the main power.

Democracy

form of government where the people have the power to make decisions, usually by voting for leaders or on laws. citizens choose how the country is run.

Republic

type of government where people elect representatives to make decisions and laws for them, rather than having a king or ruler in charge.  citizens vote for leaders who act on their behalf .

Dictatorship

form of government where one person has all of the power and makes decisions without input from the people. The leader controls everything.

locke’s view:

Believed that people are born with natural rights (life liberty, property) and the government exists to protect those rights. thought people should overthrow the government if it doesn’t meet that standard. 

Rousseau’s view;

believed the government should be based on “general will of the people,” and reflect what people want. thought people should give up some freedom in exchange for protection and fairness in society. 

Voltaire’s view:

believed strongly in freedom of speech, religion, and thought. thought government and religion should be separate and people can criticize leaders without fear. 

Montesquieu’s’ view;

believed in separating government power into different branches (legislative, executive, and judicial,) so no one person or group could become to powerful.  wanted checks and balances 

federalist vs Anti-Federalists

federalists supported constitution (wanted strong central government) while anti federalists opposed it because they feared a strong central government would take away people’s rights, and wanted more power for the states.

Oligarchy

form of government where a small group of people have all of the power and make decisions for the country. 

What were the major weaknesses in articles of confederation, how did the Constitution fix them.

articles of confederation made a weak central government, lacked the power to tax and regulate trade or enforce laws.

The Constitution created a stronger federal government with the authority to levy taxes regulate trade and established branches of government to create and enforce laws.

how are the ideas of philosophes (Lock, Rousseau, Voltaire, and Montesquieu) seen in our government today.

Locke’s ideas appear in constitutions focus of natural rights like life liberty and property.

Rousseau’s ideas are seen in principle of popular sovereignty.

Voltaire s ideas are seen in first amendment, giving freedom of speech and religion.

Montesqueie’s ideas are seen in separation of power and checks and balances between branches of the government.

How are the principles of the constitution reflected in our government today. 

through distinct roles of the constitutional branches. division of power between federal and state governments. constraints on government authority. protection of individual rights against government overreach.