Forms & Systems
of Gov't
of Gov't
A form of government where people elect leaders to make laws on their behalf
Representative democracy / Republic
The first document that established the principle of limited government
Magna Carta
Locke's idea that people are born with certain rights that cannot be taken away, including life, liberty, and the right to own property
Natural Rights
All people are born equal
Equality of mankind
True or False: The Boston Massacre was in response to the Boston Tea Party
False
Based on Locke's idea of social contract, what is the main reason people create governments?
To protect their natural rights
A type of autocracy where power stays in one family
Absolute monarchy
The ancient civilization that provided the first example of democracy
Ancient Greece (Athens)
The U.S. has 3 branches of government because of this idea from Montesquieu
Separation of powers
People must be guaranteed the freedom to practice their religion
Religious liberty / Freedom of religion
What did it mean to "quarter troops in the colonists' homes"?
According to the Declaration of Independence, if governments do not protect the people's natural rights, what can (and should) the people do?
Alter (change) or abolish (get rid or) the government and replace it with a better government
Government ruled by a small group of people
Oligarchy
The ancient civilization that gave the Founders the idea of republicanism/representative government
Ancient Rome
The idea that each branch of government should be given tools to block the other branches from becoming too powerful (or doing things the first branch dislikes)
Checks and balances
Government should be set up so it does not become too powerful
Limited Government
What does it mean to boycott something (the way the colonists boycotted British goods)?
To refuse to buy something
When the colonists complained that the king was "dissolving their legislatures," what did they mean?
Closing the lawmaking assemblies in their colonial governments
A system of government where the national government keeps most of the power and state/local government is very weak
Unitary system
Document that was written as propaganda to encourage the American colonists to break free from Britain
Common Sense by Thomas Paine
Under the social contract, people _________ in exchange for the government protecting their natural rights.
Give some power to the government
Everyone must obey the laws, including the leaders
Rule of Law
As part of the Intollerable Acts, colonists accused of a crime could be sent to _______ for their trials.
England
What does the word UNALIENABLE mean in this quote: "We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
Cannot be given up or taken away
A system of government where the national government shares power with the state/local governments
Federal system
Of the 4 key documents we studied, which is most closely associated with the principle of self-government?
Mayflower Compact
This idea is part of the social contract and means that people give power to the government through their approval/agreement
Consent of the governed
If you are accused of a crime, the government must give you a fair trial with correct legal procedures
Due process of law
What did the British Parliament do in response to the Boston Tea Party?
Passed the Coercive/Intolerable Acts
Who is "He" in this quote:
"He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people."
The King of England