Basics
Define government
What are... the individuals & groups that create and enforce rules/laws.
The type of government the 13 colonies broke away from.
What is... an absolute monarchy.
What are the three branches of government and their purposes?
1. Executive: Enforce the Laws
2. Legislative: Write/Create the Laws
3. Judicial: Interpret the Laws
One Enlightenment thinker that influenced our government.
(Can be any)
What is... Locke, Rosseau, Hobbes, Voltaire, or Montesquieu.
The first social contract of the United States of America.
The Articles of Confederation
Define politics.
What are... activities aimed at resolving conflicts over the distribution of scarce resources within a society.
The key foundation of being considered a democracy or republic. (Think: Enlightenment)
What is... the power of the people.
The branch of gov't "Congress" belong to.
What is... the Legislative Branch?
Something that the thinkers of the Enlightenment era would agree on.
What is... the idea that gov't exists to serve the people AND the people give the power.
Define confederation.
What is... a union/connection between sovereign states.
The era that produced new ideas about government and natural rights.
What is Enlightenment?
The difference between a civic duty and a civic responsibility. Give an example.
What is... a civic duty is something a citizen MUST do, while a responsibility is something they SHOULD do.
Define compromise. Why is it important?
What is... a way of reaching an agreement in which each person or group gives up something that was wanted to end an argument or dispute.
Natural born rights.
What are... life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The framers of the Articles of Confederation wanted a ______ central government.
What is... weak.
Define sovereignty.
What is... the absolute authority [of a state] to govern itself.
The five pillars of democracy.
1. Equality
2. Majority Rule, Minority Rights
3. Necessity of Compromise
4. Individual Freedoms
5. Worth of the Individual
The amount of branches under the Articles of Confederation.
What is... 1 branch! (Legislative)
What is the Magna Carta?
What is... One of England's major historical documents, circa 1215, that influenced the framers of our founding documents.
Briefly summarize Daniel Shays' Rebellion. (Cause AND resolution)
Shays' rebellion was an uprising led by Daniel Shays, a farmer and Revolutionary War veteran. The central government was unable to pay him for his service (due to lack of taxation) so he gathered a group of angry veterans/farmers and rioted.
Because the Articles did not have a central army, George Washington himself had to put the rebellion down.
The four characteristics of a state.
P - Population
T - Territory
S - Sovereignty
G - Government
At least three government types and their definitions.
(Any of these will be taken)
1. Democracy
2: Republic
3. Monarchy
4. Oligarchy
5. Theocracy
6. Autocracy/Dictatorship
The two branches in a presidential democracy that are separate and coequal.
What are... the Executive and Legislative Branches?
Define social contract.
What is... an agreement between the people and their ruler. People give the ruler power and in return, the ruler provides security or safety.
At least THREE of the six main failures of the Articles of Confederation.
(Any of these will work...)
1. Couldn't Tax - Lack of Taxation
2. Weak Central Government - Lack of Authority
3. Weak National Military
4. No National Court System
5. No National Currency
6. Inability to Regulate Commerce