US Government - Unit 1 Test Study Guide

Study Guide for US Government Unit 1 Test

Explain John Locke, his book, and natural rights.

John Locke was a philosopher who wrote the book Two Treatises of Government (1690). He believed all people are born free, equal, and independent and they possess “natural law” or “unalienable rights” to life, liberty, and property. He also believed in the Social Contract Theory and stated the government is legitimate as long as the people continue to consent to it. Locke's ideas heavily influenced US democracy and the Declaration of Independence.

Explain the Social Contract Theory — Hobbes and Locke.

The Social Contract Theory states people give up their rights to a sovereign ruler. Hobbes believed a king was the best form of government with no right to revolt and people have “state of nature” which means they are created equal and allowed to do what was needed to survive. Locke believed the people had the right to revolt.

Explain the Declaration of Independence and its 3 parts.

The Declaration of Independence was debated and edited by Thomas Jefferson. It was written so the colonies could express them by breaking ties with Great Britain. The first part was a statement of purpose and basic human rights, part two was a list of complaints and violations against George III, and part 3 was a determination to separate from Great Britain.

Explain the US Bill of Rights and why it would be important to them.

Explain the English Bill of Rights

Explain the Glorious Revolution.

The Glorious Revolution was when King James II was removed and replaced with William and Mary of Orange. William and Mary had agreed to govern under the rules of Parliament. Now, there was no divine right, but people’s consent, parliament had to consent when suspending laws and levying taxes, monarch cannot interfere with paliamentary elections ot debates, people have a right to petition and have fair and speedy trailes, and no cruel or unusual punishment.

Explain the French and Indian War and the mutual need between Great Britain and the colonies.

The French and Indian War happened due to the colonies moving west. After the war, Great Britain was in debt and the French was driven out resulting in the colonies no longer needed protection. In result, King George III decided to deal with the colonies more colonies and placed the Stamp Act and the Coercive/Intolerable Acts. These taxes placed direct tax on paper products, closed the Boston Harbor (to control trade) and took government away in Massachusetts.

Explain the Articles of Confederation.

The Articles of Confederation was a unicameral congress with no president or executive branch, each state had one vote, and Congress handled foreign affairs and defense which includes making war and peace, raising a navy or army, regulating Indian affairs, and establishing post offices. The states had control of everything else.

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The weakness of the Articles of Confederation were there was a weak government, couldn’t levy taxes, couldn’t regulate trade, couldn’t enforce laws. 9 out of 13 vote for ratification, changes to the Articles took all 13 states to ratify, no executive branch, and no national court systems.

What is Federalism?

Explain separation of powers.

Explain the 3 parts of the US Constitution and what each does.

Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau?

What is Magna Carta?

What is Petition of Rights?

What is a limited government?

What is the difference between a unitary and federal systems government?

What is autocracy?

How are the Senate and House elected?

Explain anti-federalists and their beliefs.

Explain federalists and their beliefs

What are the 3 branches of government?

Explain Shay’s Rebellion and its significance.

What is the difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?

Explain the system of checks and balances.

Who is Charles de Montesquieu?

What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?

What is judicial review?

Explain the transformation from an absolute monarchy to a limited government to a representative democracy.

What is the Virginia Plan?

What is the New Jersey Plan?

What is the difference between direct and representative democracies?

What is a dictatorship?

What is the difference between constitutional and absolute monarchies?

What is an oligarchy?

What is divine right?

Explain the House of Burgesses.

What is the difference between republic and democracy?

Explain the Mayflower Compact.

Explain the Connecticut Compromise.

The Connecticut Compromise suggested Congress have two parts Houses chosen by population where spending and tax bills will begin. Also, Senate should have two members and state legislatures would elect them.

What is a government?

What is and amendment?

What is an anarchy?

What is a monarchy?

What is sovereignty?

What is a charter?

What is a tariff?

What is the difference of bicameral and unicameral?

Explain the Bill of Rights and the Preamble.

What is extralegal?

What are the connections between the Articles of Confederation and the Preamble to the Constitution?

What are the connections between Part 2 of the Declaration and the Bill of Rights?

Explain how the concept of limited government can be seen in our government so far.