Civics EOC Exam Study Guide Notes

Rule of Law

  • Definition: The principle that all individuals and institutions are accountable to and governed by the law.

Rights from the English Bill of Rights Found in the US Bill of Rights

  • Freedom of Speech: Ensures individuals can express their opinions without censorship.

  • Protection Against Cruel and Unusual Punishments: Prohibits inhumane treatment or overly harsh penalties.

  • No Taxes Without Consent: Establishes the importance of obtaining consent from citizens regarding taxation, setting a precedent for individual rights.

Influence of the Mayflower Compact on the Founding Fathers

Concepts:

  • Self-Government: The idea that the government is created by and subject to the will of the people.

  • Rule of Law / Social Contract: The notion that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.

Influence of Thomas Paine's Common Sense

  • Common Sense encouraged the Founding Fathers to

    • Declare Independence: It galvanized colonists to seek autonomy from British rule.

Grievances Leading to the Declaration of Independence

  • Stamp Act: A tax imposed without the consent of the colonists, causing anger and resentment.

  • No Taxation Without Representation: The principle that taxes should not be levied without representation in the legislature.

John Locke's Ideas Influencing the Declaration of Independence

Key Concepts:

  • Natural Laws/Rights: The belief that all individuals are entitled to certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and property.

  • Social Contract: The theory that individuals consent to surrender some freedoms for protection provided by the government.

  • Locke's influence on Thomas Jefferson: His ideas were foundational in drafting the Declaration of Independence.

Social Contract Explained

  • People enter an agreement with their government, giving up certain freedoms in exchange for security and societal order.

Montesquieu's Influence on the Constitution

Important Concepts:

  • Separation of Powers: Dividing government authority into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial (LEJ).

  • Checks and Balances: Ensuring that no one branch becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to have oversight over the others.

Concepts from the Magna Carta Influencing the Founding Fathers

  • Limited Government: The restriction of governmental power to protect individual rights and freedoms.