Colonial America
Which of the following were characteristics of colonial America?
America was very small.
The colonists were from diverse backgrounds.
There were no slaves until 1790.
Most colonists lived in rural areas.
What are:
The colonists were from diverse backgrounds.
Most colonists lived in rural areas.
From whom did the founders learn these ideas?
People must fulfill their obligations to their communities to survive and live well.
Government should help people fulfill their civic and moral responsibilities.
Countries should be ruled by wise people.
Who are ancient political philosophers?
A plan of government that sets forth the structures and powers of government. In democracies, a constitution is an authoritative law through which the sovereign people authorize a government to be established and grant it certain powers.
Traditionally, constitutions that include elements of the rule of one (monarchy), the few (aristocracy or oligarchy), and the many (democracy). Aristotle first wrote of mixed constitutions, although not always about all three elements simultaneously, stating that they are more stable than simple forms. Some American writers have argued that a mixed constitution is a hallmark of a republic. The idea influenced the writing of the U.S. Constitution.
What is a mixed constitution?
The dedication of citizens to the common welfare of their community or country, even at the cost of their individual interests. Traditionally considered most relevant to republics, since republican citizens are responsible for the well-being of their country.
What is civic virtue?
What caused the massive reduction in the numbers of Native Americans along the eastern seaboard?
Emigration of Native Americans to Europe
Encroachment of colonial settlements, disease, and warfare
Recruitment of Native Americans into the Continental Army
Malnutrition caused by the Great Drought of 1780
What are:
Encroachment of colonial settlements, disease, and warfare
What political philosopher thought the following?
All governments must perform legislative, executive, and judicial functions.
Good governments promote the common good.
Corrupt governments serve the private interests of those in power.
Who is Aristotle?
Limited government.
What is constitutional government?
The British legislature, which consists of two houses: the House of Lords, which once represented the nobility, and the House of Commons, which formally represents the common people. Most members of the House of Lords are appointed for life by the government of the day and are not members of the hereditary aristocracy, who once dominated it.
What is Parliament?
The good of the community as a whole, as contrasted with private interests that may conflict with public interest. Also known as the public good.
How did New England farmers differ from Southern farmers? Select all that apply.
New England farmers did not own slaves.
Southern farmers grew only cotton and indigo.
New England farmers relied less on slaves for labor than did Southern colonists.
Southern Farmers did not rely on slaves until 1832.
New England had a large number of indentured servants in its workforce.
What are:
New England farmers relied less on slaves for labor than did Southern colonists.
New England had a large number of indentured servants in its workforce.
True or False?
Constitutions specify how a government is organized and should operate.
True
Literally defined as "rule of the people," democracy is a form of government in which all citizens exercise political power, either directly or through their elected representatives.
Democracy
According to James Madison, a form of government that derives its powers directly or indirectly from the people, is administered by officials holding power for a limited time, and incorporates representative institutions.
What is a republic?
The doctrine that people have basic rights, such as those to life, liberty, and property in a state of nature. Some writers, especially those influencing the American Founders, argued that certain of these rights are inalienable—inherent in being human—and that people create governments to protect those rights.
What is natural rights philosophy?
What is the main purpose of the Declaration?
What is the main purpose of the Declaration?
True or False?
Constitutions must be written
False
(1) Aristotle's idea of three forms of government based on the number of people exercising power. Each has a "right" form and a "corrupt" form. The right form of government by a single person is a "monarchy." The right form of government by a few people is an "aristocracy." And the right form of government by many people is called "polity." (2) Types of democratic governments. For example, parliamentary systems, such as those of Britain and India; separation of powers systems, such as that of the United States; and presidential systems, such as that of France.
What are forms of government?
The body of political practices developed through custom and tradition. Only three of the world's major democracies have constitutions that are not single, written documents: Britain, Israel, and New Zealand. In each of these nations, the constitution is a combination of written laws and precedents.
What is an unwritten constitution?
Acceptance by the governed that the claim to authority by those who govern is justified. In democratic societies, legitimacy is achieved only when those who govern gain power through the free consent of the governed in free and fair elections.
What is political legitimacy?
The ideals and practices of ancient Greek or Roman city-states that emphasized civic participation and the responsibility of citizens for the well-being of their polity, or country. Acts by citizens that placed the public good, or common welfare, above private interest were especially prized.
What is classical republicanism?
Great Britain, New Zealand, Australia
What are some countries with an unwritten constitution?
In natural rights philosophy, a system restricted to protecting natural rights that does not interfere with other aspects of life. More generally, limited government is constitutional government governed by the rule of law. Written or unwritten constitutions are used to empower and limit government.
What is limited government
A written plan of government that sets forth the structures and powers of government. In democracies, a constitution is an authoritative law through which the sovereign people authorize a government to be established and grant it certain powers.
What is a written constitution?
The natural rights concept that ultimate political authority rests with the people.
What is popular sovereignty?