Foundations of Government
What is the main purpose of government?
To provide order, security, and meet society’s needs.
In a democracy, who holds the power?
The people.
What is the supreme law of the land in the United States?
The Constitution
What year was the Declaration of Independence signed?
1776
What do we call the study of the rights and duties of citizens?
Civics.
The idea that government gets its power from the people is called what?
Popular Sovereignty.
What type of government is ruled by a king or queen?
Monarchy.
What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?
The Bill of Rights.
Which document served as the first constitution of the United States?
The Articles of Confederation.
Name one duty of U.S. citizens that is required by law.
Obey laws, pay taxes, serve on a jury, register for the draft (males).
Which ancient civilization gave us the idea of democracy?
Ancient Greece.
What is the difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy?
Direct = citizens vote on laws themselves; Representative = citizens elect leaders to make decisions.
The principle of dividing government power into three branches is called what?
Separation of powers.
What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
It created a weak central government with no power to tax or enforce laws.
Name one responsibility of U.S. citizens that is encouraged but not required by law.
Examples: Voting, volunteering, staying informed, respecting others’ rights.
John Locke believed people are born with what three natural rights?
Life, liberty, and property.
Which type of government is controlled by one political party, usually through force and censorship?
Dictatorship/Totalitarianism.
Which principle prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful?
Checks and balances.
What was the significance of Shays’ Rebellion?
It showed the Articles of Confederation were too weak and led to the Constitutional Convention.
Explain the difference between a duty and a responsibility of citizenship.
Duty = must do by law; Responsibility = should do to support democracy.
Explain the difference between a social contract and absolute monarchy.
A social contract is an agreement where people give up some freedom for protection, while an absolute monarchy gives all power to one ruler.
Compare and contrast a theocracy with an oligarchy.
Theocracy = ruled by religious leaders/laws; Oligarchy = ruled by a small elite group of people.
Federalism divides power between what two levels of government?
The national (federal) and state governments.
What compromise created a two-house Congress with equal representation in the Senate and population-based representation in the House?
The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise).
What is the process by which immigrants can become U.S. citizens called?
Naturalization.