Types of Government
What's the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional monarchy?
a. Constitutional Monarchy
There is a king or queen but they are limited in power. The real power resides with the people as outlined by a Constitution.
b. Absolute Monarchy
The king or queen has absolute power and their power is not limited by a Constitution.
What is the Magna Carta?
King John signed this document saying he would follow certain laws and restrictions. Before this a king was never held accountable by the people.
James Madison
1st and 2nd Amendments
1. Freedom of speech, petition, assembly, religion, and the press.
2. Right to bear arms.
1. No power to tax
2. Unicameral legislature (one body making all the laws)
3. No national court
4. No national executive (no president, which meant no enforcing of laws)
5. No regulation of commerce (trade)
6. No ability to create a military
7. The states were in charge, they didn't have a federal government strong enough to do anything
8. 9/13 states had to agree in order to pass any laws
One person is in control of the government. They usually gained control by force, and they threaten anyone who speaks out against them. They do whatever they can to keep power.
What is the Mayflower Compact?
The Pilgrims wrote their own set of laws to govern themselves because they did not have a government to answer to once they made it to America.
Why did small states not like the Virginia Plan?
Small states would not be equally represented and their voices and opinions would not always be heard. They would have no power in the government if they disagreed with the big states.
3rd and 4th Amendments
3. No quartering of soldiers.
4. Rights that protect you from illegal search and seizure.
Which event led the Founders to believe that a stronger document than the Articles was necessary?
Shays' Rebellion.
What is democracy? What are the two types? List and define each.
h. Democracy
The people have a voice and get to vote on leaders and laws.
i. Direct Democracy
People vote directly on laws instead of having people who represent them vote for them.
j. Representative Democracy/Democratic Republic
People elect leaders to represent them, and those representatives make decisions on laws on behalf of their constituents.
What is the English Bill of Rights?
The King and Queen of England signed this saying that parliament, or an elected government, would have power over the monarchy. The Bill of Rights also outlined specific rights to which the people of England were entitled.
Tell the story of Shays' Rebellion.
Daniel Shays wanted the money that was due to him after serving in the Revolutionary War. He and other farmers protested the State government building. Things turned violent and there was no central military force able to shut the revolt down. This showed the dire need for a stronger central government.
5th and 6th Amendments
5. Rights of the accused- due process, access to an attorney, Miranda rights, you do not have to incriminate yourself.
6. The right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury.
How did the Constitution take care of some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
The Constitution created a strong central federal government with the power to tax and control the military. A strong central government unified the states and gave the country as a whole more power.
What is Federalism?
Two levels of government share control over one area. Example: state and federal governments.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Document signed by several of America’s founding fathers declaring independence from the rule of Great Britain.
Describe the Virginia Plan
James Madison’s plan that each state would have representation in the new government based on population. This meant that the bigger states would always have a louder voice because they would get more representatives than the smaller states.
7th and 8th Amendments
7. The right to a trial by jury even in a civil case.
8. Protection from cruel and unusual punishment-including not having an excessive bail.
What does it mean to call the Constitution "a living document"?
The Constitution was written so long ago that the lifestyle then is hardly relevant today. The Constitution needs to be able to change as society and technology change.
Describe Communism and Socialism and the difference between the two.
f. Communism
The government controls all means of production and there is no private property. The government provides for individual’s needs.
g. Socialism
Less severe form of communism. The government owns most means of production and takes care of things like healthcare and housing for disadvantaged people. Some private property can be owned.
What are the Articles of Confederation?
The first document used in the US as a form of government. They made a weak central government and gave almost all of the power to the individual states. The federal government did not have the power to govern.
Describe the Great Compromise
A bicameral legislature: one house based on population and one that gave each state two votes, no matter the size.
9th and 10th Amendments
9. Citizen’s rights will be protected whether they are explicitly stated in the Constitution or not.
10. Powers that are not specifically given to the Federal government are reserved for the individual State governments.
What is the difference between Constitutional Originalism and Living Constitutionalism? Define each and describe the difference.
Constitutional Originalism: The Constitution should be followed exactly the way it was written. The writers intended for it to be consistent and not change over time.
Living Constitutionalism: The Constitution can and should change with the times.