Influences of US Gov
This Enlightenment thinker argued that all people have natural rights—life, liberty, and property.
Who is John Locke
This document’s main purpose was to explain why the colonies were breaking away from Britain.
Declaration of Independence
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
To revise the Articles of Confederation; delegates ultimately wrote a new Constitution to create a stronger federal government.
What does the Preamble explain?
The Preamble states the purposes and goals of the Constitution, such as forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, and ensuring domestic tranquility.
What does the 1st Amendment protect?
Freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
This philosopher is best known for separation of powers.
Montesquieu
These are specific complaints colonists listed against King George III.
Taxation without Representation, British Army in America, Abuse of power
What was the Great Compromise, and what problem did it solve?
The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature (House based on population, Senate with equal representation) solving the dispute between large and small states over representation.
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
What right does the 2nd Amendment protect?
The right to keep and bear arms.
This thinker believed humans are naturally selfish and need a strong government.
Thomas Hobbes
What principles did Jefferson borrow from Enlightenment thinkers?
Natural Rights, government by consent of the governed, and the right to alter or abolish unjust governments.
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
An agreement that each enslaved person would count as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation purposes.
What is the main job of the Legislative Branch?
To make Laws
Which amendment abolished slavery?
13th
This ancient civilization influenced America with direct democracy.
Greek
What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
The national government was too weak—it lacked power to tax, regulate commerce, and enforce laws effectively.
What did Federalists believe?
Federalists supported a stronger national government and the new Constitution to provide order and stability.
What is the main job of the Executive Branch?
To enforce and carry out laws.
What does the 8th Amendment forbid?
Cruel and unusual punishment and excessive bail or fines.
This ancient civilization influenced America with ideas like representative government and written law.
Roman Republic
What event proved the Articles of Confederation were too weak?
Shays' Rebellion showed that the federal government could not maintain order or help states respond to internal unrest.
What did Anti-Federalists believe?
Anti-Federalists feared a strong central government, wanted stronger protections for individual rights, and preferred more power to remain with the states.
What is the main job of the Judicial Branch?
To interpret laws and decide if they are constitutional.
Which amendment gave women the right to vote?
The 19th Amendment.