AP Gov AMSCO Topic 1.1 Ideals of Democracy Studyguide

What foundation did the Declaration of Independence provide for government?

A government where people with protected rights are the true source of governmental power.

What is the Declaration of Independence?

A document declaring the colonists' independence from Great Britain by stating justifications for their rebellion.

Which enlightenment thinkers ideals are found in our governments political ideologies?

1. Thomas Hobbes

2. John Locke.

3. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

4. Baron de Montesquieu

Which Enlightenment thinker is known for the work 'The Leviathan'?

Thomas Hobbes.

What ideologies did Thomas Hobbes describe in The Leviathan?

1. People are brutes

2. Governments are made to protect people from each other

3. Belief: Absolute sovereign, aka the Leviathan, would hold society together as long as they took the good of society into account

Who authored 'Second Treatise of Civil Government' and what year was it published?

John Locke, published in 1960.

What ideologies did John Locke describe in the Second Treatise of Civil Government (1690)?

1. Natural Law

2. People are entitled//obliged to rebel when kings don't respect the consent of the governed

Natural Law

law of God and acknowledges that people are born free and equal

What is the title of Jean-Jacques Rousseau's influential work?

The Social Contract.

What ideologies did Jean-Jacques Rousseau describe in The Social Contract?

1. Social contract theory

2. Popular Sovereignty

Popular Sovereignty

the people are the ultimate ruling authority and the government officials job is to carry out the laws

Which Enlightenment thinker wrote 'The Spirit of the Laws'?

Baron de Montesquieu.

What ideologies did Baron de Montesquieu describe in The Spirit of the Laws?

1. Republican form of gov is defined/limited power while granting political liberty to citizens

2. Separation of powers is the best

What did these ideologies lead to?

Republicanism and limited government

Republicanism

citizens elect leaders for a limited period of time; the leaders' job is to make/execute laws in the public interest

How are violations remedied in republicanism?

the creation of an independent, limited, and representative gov based on the ideas of natural rights, popular sovereignty, republicanism, and the social contract

Limited Government

gov kept under control by laws, checks and balances, and separation of powers and respects its citizens liberties but will step in when necessary

What led to the declaration of independence from Great Britain?

Friction caused division between soldiers and colonists that was made worse by British suppression of self-rule, economic punishments, and unfair trials/imprisonments

What motion did Richard Henry Lee propose regarding American independence?

He offered a short motion declaring American independence and the authority of Congress to officially end the relationship with Great Britain.

Who were the members of the Legislature Committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston.

When was the Declaration of Independence approved?

July 4, 1776.

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

It provided a legal and moral standpoint/justification for the rebellion against Great Britain.

What was the USA's first constitution?

The Articles of Confederation.

How was the government structured under the Articles of Confederation?

The government was set up as decentralized.

What significant meeting took place in May 1787?

A meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Who is known as the Father of the Constitution?

James Madison.

What role did George Washington play in the convention to revise the Articles of Confederation?

He was the President of the convention, providing calm and valid efforts.

What qualities characterized Alexander Hamilton's contributions to the new government design?

He was intellectual, driven, and determined to elevate the nation.

What contributions did Benjamin Franklin make to the convention?

He offered wisdom and experience, embodying Enlightenment ideals.

What did Thomas Jefferson send to James Madison regarding governments?

He sent Madison books on successful and unsuccessful governments.

Grand Committee

committee of 11 that helped create compromises between the small and large states that led to the new form of government to work out

What things were in the US Constitution?

1. Strong executive power 2.

2. Elected president 3.

3. Majority rules, but minority rights 4.

4. Power of the people/they elect the president

5. Separation of powers

6. 6. Checks and balances

7. 7. Allocates power between federal and state governments

8. 8. Social contract theory

Who is in the executive branch?

President; commander in chief

Who is in the legislative branch?

Congress; tax, borrow money, and regulate commerce

Who is in the judicial branch?

Supreme Court; includes plan to create lower courts

Representative Republic

USA Republic; collection of sovereign states gathered for the national interests, national needs, and national defense

What did the og framers want the government to be like?

citizen representation of a democracy (Direct democracy)

What is the only required popular election?

House of Reps according to the original Constitution

How is state legislature elected?

1. State legislatures name their electors (done via citizen voters)

2. 2. Electoral college elects the president