AP GOV College Board Videos

Video 1.1

Influences of the Founding Era of the United States:

• British Constitutional System

• Political Philosophy and Historical Influences

• Colonial Traditions

The 13 Colonies requested a ‘Limited Government’, which consisted of:

• Natural Rights

  According to John Locke in the Two Treatises, everyone should be guaranteed life, health, liberty, or possessions.

  The Declaration of Independence has similar lines: life liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• Social Contract

  The government should act as a servant to the people, not the other way around; but in return, citizens give up the most extreme rights of self-preservation (killing, and stealing property) for natural rights.

• Popular Sovereignty

  ‘the people rule’; decisions about actions the government need to be consented to by the governed

  John Locke says, “The government must not raise Taxes on the property of the People, without the consent of the people, given by themselves, or their deputies.”

  • given by themselves: an example of direct democracy

  • deputies: opens the idea of electing other people to represent the people

• Republicanism

  Electing people to represent the governed, while having their consent to do so.