Civics Unit 1 Study Guide
The Influences and Foundations of Democracy Study Guide
Directions: Please answer the following questions. Use your assignments/resources.
Do not rely on Google Searches.
ALL QUESTIONS MUST BE ANSWERED IN A BOLD, DIFFERENT COLOR
(you do not need to redefine them for the study guide)
Enlightenment Thinkers
What is political philosophy?
Study focused on the government and thinking.
Who was John Locke? Political philosopher that wrote Two Treatises of Government.
Why was he important? Is the first to mention natural rights.
Explain Lockes’ beliefs that influenced the Founders. The right to life and property. Religious freedom and freedom of speech. Government should protect rights.
Who was Thomas Hobbes? Wrote Leviathan
Why was he important? Unbreakable social contract
Types of Government
Why do we need a government? Without government there would be a constant state of fear and people would fight each other.
Describe an autocracy. A type of government where one person has all the power.
Describe a monarchy. An autocratic government where one person is in charge and it is hereditary .
Describe a dictatorship. A dictator rules and has absolute power.
Which philosopher's ideas most align with autocracy as a form of government? Why? Thomas Hobbes, because he believes in giving up all rights to one ruler.
Describe a democracy.
Structure of US Government
Where is the structure of government written? U.S constitution
How did Montesquieu influence the structure of the US government?
What are the three branches of the US government? Legislative, Executive, Judicial.
What does the legislative branch do? Make laws.
What are some powers of the legislative branch that “check” the powers of other branches? (Provide at least one example for each branch).
Greek and Roman Influence
What is the type of the government that the Athenians used? republic
Why did this system work well in Greece? Democracy
Describe the government structure of Athens.
How did the “People Court” if Athens influence the United States?
What is the type of the government the Romans used?
Explain the “separation of powers” in Rome.
What are examples of representative government in Rome?
Open Response
Be prepared to write a well developed paragraph (8-10 sentences) citing key
ideas from our class readings, notes, and activities.
Prompt: Pick one of the political philosophers we studied this unit(Locke, Rousseau, or Montesquieu) and discuss how their philosophy influenced the founding document(s) of the United States.