Foundations of Govt
What is the main purpose of government?
to provide order, protect rights, and promote the common good
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
What was the nation’s first constitution called?
Articles of Confederation
Who believed humans are naturally selfish and need strong authority to maintain order?
Thomas Hobbes
Rights that cannot be taken away are called what?
Unalienable Rights
This term means government is created by and gets its power from the people.
What is popular sovereignty?
Which philosopher’s idea of “life, liberty, and property” influenced the Declaration?
John Locke
What type of legislature did the Articles of Confederation create?
Unicameral
Who believed in separation of powers to prevent tyranny?
Montesquieu
Agreement among members of society to cooperate for social benefits.
Social Contract
Which concept means everyone, including leaders, must follow the law?
Rule of Law
According to the Declaration, where does government get its power?
From the consent of the governed.
Name one weakness of the Articles of Confederation.
No power to tax, no executive branch, no national court system, inability to regulate trade.
Who believed in popular sovereignty and the general will?
Rousseau
What is a confederation?
An alliance of independent states with a weak central government.
Name the theory that people give up some freedom in exchange for security provided by the government.
Social Contract Theory
Give one grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence against King George III.
Taxation without representation, dissolving colonial legislatures, keeping standing armies in peacetime.
Which event showed the Articles were too weak to handle internal problems?
Shays Rebellion
Whose ideas most directly influenced the Declaration of Independence?
This principle divides government into three branches.
Separation of powers?
Give one example each of a democracy, monarchy, oligarchy, and authoritarian government.
Democracy – USA; Monarchy – UK; Oligarchy – Russia (arguable); Authoritarian – North Korea.
What does the Declaration say people may do if government becomes destructive of their rights?
Alter or abolish it and form a new government.
What was the main reason for calling the Constitutional Convention?
To fix the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
Match each philosopher to one U.S. government principle:
Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu.
Hobbes – Strong authority/social contract to keep order.
Locke – Natural rights/right to overthrow.
Rousseau – Popular sovereignty/general will.
Montesquieu – Separation of powers.
This term means it is society's belief that their ruler or government has the authority or right and people accept that the state's rule is right and proper.
Legitimacy