Real-World Examples
Representative Government
or Republicanism
Who came up with the idea that all people are born with certain rights that cannot be taken away?
John Locke
Everybody must follow the law. Nobody is above the law!
Rule of Law
This document limited the King's power in 1216
Magna carta
Assemblies that vote or create laws.
Legislative Bodies
Megan's parents serve in the military. She also recently got called to serve on a jury in her community. What are these all examples of?
Civic Participation
True or False: John Locke argued that under a social contract, if the government fails to protect its people, the people have the right to change or overthrow the government.
True
The government must protect the rights of the people, and in exchange the people must follow the law.
Social Contract
This document was created by the Pilgrims who came over on the Mayflower, giving permission govern themselves.
Mayflower compact
Created by John Locke; life, liberty and property.
Natural Rights
The U.S. government is divided into a legislative, executive, and judicial branch. Which founding principle is this an example of?
Separation of Powers
Who came up with the idea that we should separate our government into 3 branches?
Baron De Montesquieu
Dividing power throughout the government so it does not become too powerful.
Separation of powers
The English Bill of Rights protected these.
Rights of the people. Individual rights
Written rules on how the government should work
Written Consitution
Checks and Balances
True or False: Baron de Montesquieu's theory of social contract argued that power of government should be split into 3 branches.
False
The ability of each branch to limit the power of the others so that the government doesn’t become too powerful.
Checks and balances
How did the Magna Carta influence the American political system?
By guaranteeing due process of law.
Fairness under the law
Justice
Somebody was recently accused of a crime. Before they can be convicted, this person is treated as "innocent until proven guilty," meaning that a fair legal procedure must take place before a sentence can be given.
Due Process of Law
True or false: The founders believed that "natural law" meant that all laws passed by Congress are automatically superior to any rights an individual is born with.
False
A fair legal procedure that the government must follow before taking away someone’s rights.
Due Process of Law
By giving rights to the people, the English Bill of Rights did what to the power of the King?
Limited the King's power
Consent of the Governed