Enlightenment & Ideas
Which Enlightenment thinker argued that government exists to protect life, liberty, and property?
John Locke
Which colonial complaint most reflects the idea of “no taxation without representation”?
Colonists were taxed without representation
Why was the national government under the Articles so weak?
Fear of monarchy / Limited power to tax, regulate trade, enforce laws
Which compromise created a bicameral legislature balancing large and small states?
Great Compromise
Give one example of how the Constitution fixed a weakness of the Articles.
Examples: Created executive branch, gave Congress power to tax, regulate trade, enforce laws
What principle says government gets its power from the people?
Consent of the governed / Popular sovereignty
Quartering of soldiers in homes violated which basic principle?
Individual rights / Natural rights
Which rebellion exposed the Articles’ inability to maintain order?
Shays’ Rebellion
Which branch of government enforces laws?
Executive
Dividing power between national and state governments is called what?
Federalism
Which thinker advocated separation of powers to prevent tyranny?
Montesquieu
Which British action inspired colonists to fear a strong executive?
Use of military to enforce laws
Under the Articles, each state had how many votes in Congress?
One
Which branch makes laws?
Legislative
Why did the Founders include an amendment process?
To allow the Constitution to adapt over time
What is the term for restricting government power to protect individual rights?
Limited Government
Which Enlightenment idea is seen when colonists challenged the King’s refusal to approve laws?
Consent of the governed
Could Congress enforce laws under the Articles?
No
Which branch interprets laws and can declare them unconstitutional?
Judicial
How does separation of powers protect liberty?
Prevents any one branch from dominating government
What idea justifies that people can overthrow a government that violates their rights?
Social Contract
Name one grievance that influenced the Bill of Rights.
Free speech limits, quartering of soldiers, unfair trials, etc.
What major weakness prevented the Articles from regulating the economy?
Could not regulate interstate or foreign trade
What principle ensures that no branch becomes too powerful?
Checks and Balances
Why was the Constitution necessary after Shays’ Rebellion?
Articles were too weak to maintain order / protect property