Government Basics
In this type of government, leaders try to control nearly every part of people’s lives, including what they can say and believe.
totalitarian government
Citizens vote on laws themselves instead of electing lawmakers to vote for them.
direct democracy
This movement encouraged people to use reason to question traditional ideas.
Enlightenment
This document announced that the colonies were separating from Britain.
Declaration of Independence
This opening section of the Constitution begins with “We the People.”
Preamble
In this type of government, people can choose leaders through competitive elections.
What is a democracy
Citizens elect representatives to make government decisions for them.
republic (direct democracy)
This is an agreement between people and their government about how they will be governed.
Social contract
This was the United States’ first national plan of government, before the Constitution.
Articles of Confederation
This article establishes Congress and the legislative branch.
Article I
This principle says that everyone, including government leaders, must obey the law.
Rule of law
In this system, the legislature selects the head of government.
Parliamentary system
Locke believed people have these rights simply because they are human.
Natural rights
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress could ask states for money but could not collect these directly.
Taxes
This article establishes the presidency and executive branch.
Article II
What is the document that establishes a government’s structure and powers called?
A constitution
In this system, national government and local government share power .
federal system
According to Locke, government gets its rightful power from the approval of the people. What is this called?
popular sovereignty
Under the Articles of Confederation, how many votes did each state have in Congress?
One vote
This article establishes the judicial branch and one Supreme Court.
Article III
In this type of government, a small group holds political power.
Oligarchy
In this system, state or regional governments hold most political power.
Confederal system
Montesquieu argued that government power should be divided among different branches.
Separation of powers
This Massachusetts farmers’ uprising showed problems with the weak national government under the Articles.
Shays’s Rebellion
This agreement created a House based on population and a Senate with equal representation for each state.
Senate with equal representation for each state.Great Compromise