Types of Government
The Enlightenment
Constitutional Convention
Articles v. Constitution & Federalists v. Anti-Federalists
Principles of Democracy
100

In this type of limited government, people elect officials to represent them; decision-making can be sluggish due to compromise.

What is representative democracy (a republic)?

100
This English philosopher suggested that a government's power comes from the consent of the governed and that people are entitled to natural rights: life, liberty, and property.
Who is John Locke?
100
This plan was favored by "large" states with representation in Congress based on population.
What is the Virginia Plan?
100

This governing document allows for Congress to levy taxes so that America could pay its debts following the Revolutionary War. It also created an executive branch and established a court system (previously, none existed).

What is the Constitution?

100

Includes the rights to life, liberty, and property (happiness).

What are natural rights?

200

This type of government is controlled by elected officials but involves a king or queen who acts as head of state.

What is a (constitutional) monarchy?


200

The female author and political philosopher who advocated for political equality and education for women during the nineteenth century. Considered founder of "feminism." 

Who is Mary Wollstonecraft

200
This plan was favored by "small" states with equal representation (one state, one vote) in Congress.
What is the New Jersey Plan?
200
These individuals favored a strong national/central government that could provide for the common defense at all times.
Who are the Federalists?
200

Included in this document are protections against the power of the federal government fpr freedoms of speech and religion, the right to protection against unreasonable search and seizure, and the rights of the accused and of those on trial, etc. 

What is The Bill of Rights?

300
This type of government requires direct participation (e.g. referendums) from all citizens which makes it difficult to maintain among larger populations.
What is direct democracy?
300
This French philosopher recommended that government be divided into 3 co-equal branches with a system of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power.
Who is Baron de Montesquieu?
300
This compromise merged 2 plans, creating a bicameral legislature with representation in one chamber (the House) based on population and a second chamber (the Senate) based on equal representation (2 votes per state).
What is the Great (or Connecticut) compromise?
300
This governing document failed to grant the power to tax or to create courts; it also failed to establish an executive branch capable of enforcing the nation's laws.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
300
The restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power through established laws, or the idea that the law applies to all, even presidents.
What is the rule of law?
400
This type of government is controlled by religious leaders who impose strict moral codes and who are intolerant of religious diversity.
What is theocracy?
400
This French philosopher believed that because humans are corrupted by society, all people must enter into a social contract that requires people to recognize a collective "good will," which represents the common good or public interest.
Who is Jean Jacques Rousseau?
400
This compromise determined that slaves would equal 3/5 of a person when determining population and representation in the House of Representatives.
What is the 3/5 Compromise?
400
These individuals believed local government to be more responsive to citizens' needs and insisted that a Bill of Rights was needed to protect individual freedoms.
Who are the Anti-Federalists?
400

The principle established by the U.S. Constitution, especially the 10th Amendment, that governmental power will be shared between a strong national government and independent state governments. 

What is federalism?

500
A few individuals—landed elite or military leaders—control these types of government which make quick decisions but allow citizens little control.
What are aristocracy and oligarchy?
500
These American politicians (and presidents) incorporated the ideas of the Enlightenment into the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Who are Thomas Jefferson and James Madison?
500
This compromise merged 2 plans for electing the president; a popular vote conducted in individual states would in turn determine how electors would cast their votes for president.
What is the Electoral College Compromise?
500

This governing document declared the supremacy of federal laws and that the national government must treat all states alike to avoid conflicts between states and between state and federal governments.

What is the U.S. Constitution?

500

A political concept that advocates a system where no single individual or institution wields all of the authority and power over the people or the nation. The U.S. Constitution is designed to support this principle. 

What is separation of powers or checks and balances?

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