American Government Unit 8: Foundations of Government

Question 1

Magna carta

Answer 1

Nobles forced the King to sign the document, limiting his power. Translated to “Great Charter”.
This influenced our government by inspiring a LIMITED government and RULE OF LAW.

Question 2

Petition of right

Answer 2

CIVIL RIGHTS SIGNED BY PARLIAMENT in 1628.
This influenced our government by inspiring the laws of no quartering troops, no imprisonment without cause, and protection of civil liberties.

Question 3

English bill of rights

Answer 3

This gave Parliament checks over the king.
This influenced our government by inspiring the protection of free speech, limits on cruel and unusual punishment, and separation of powers.

Question 4

Mayflower compact

Answer 4

A charter among settlers that created a democratic system of government.
This influenced our government by inspiring a constitution that gave the people that power, and the idea of self-governance.

Question 5

Fundamental orders of Connecticut

Answer 5

This set up laws that limited the government, which inspired the ideas of a limited government and both religious and speech freedoms.

Question 6

Virginia house of burgesses

Answer 6

This was the FIRST LEGISLATURE IN THE COLONIES. It included elected representatives that made the decisions. This impacted our government by leaving ideas of separation of powers and a bicameral legislature.

Question 7

Salutary neglect

Answer 7

This was the English policy of avoiding strict governing in the colonies. It left a legacy of self-governance among the colonists, and laid a foundation for break from England.

Question 8

Autocracy

Answer 8

One person holds power
Oldest & most common type
Inheritance; force
E.X. Soviet Union

Question 9

Oligarchy

Answer 9

Small, elite group has power
Power from wealth or military
E.X. China

Question 10

Democracy

Answer 10

People have sovereign power
Direct or representative
E.X. United States, Canada, Norway

Question 11

Unitary

Answer 11

1 level holds power
Most common type of government
E.X. UK, France, Japan

Question 12

Confederal

Answer 12

Alliance of independent states
Central gov has little power
Rare
E.X. European Union

Question 13

Federal

Answer 13

Powers are divided
Authority makes division of power
E.X. Canada, Mexico, Germany, US

Question 14

Direct democracy

Answer 14

Issues voted on individually
(By citizens)
E.X. Switzerland

Question 15

Republic

Answer 15

A nation with a President as COS
E.X. US, Mexico, India, Peru

Question 16

Parliamentary system

Answer 16

PM hold office
PM commands parliament mjty.
E.X. Canada, UK, Italy, New Zeland

Question 17

Prime minister (PM)

Answer 17

The chief executive and, usually, head of the cabinet

Question 18

Limited government

Answer 18

power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a constitution/source of authority

Question 19

Rule of law

Answer 19

The doctrine that no individual is above the law and that everyone must answer to it.

Question 20

Mercantilism

Answer 20

An attitude that emphasizes tangible profit or success

Question 21

Salutary neglect

Answer 21

Britain’s unofficial policy to relax the enforcement of strict regulations, particularly trade laws, imposed on the American colonies.

Question 22

State of nature

Answer 22

The hypothetical life of people before societies came into existence.

Question 23

Social contract

Answer 23

The implicit agreement by which organized society was begun and sets of regulations are instituted to govern interrelations.

Question 24

Natural rights

Answer 24

Any right existing by virtue of natural law, such as liberty, or security of one’s person and property.

Question 25

Unalienable rights

Answer 25

Pre-political in the sense that they are not created by persons or society but rather set standards for politics.

Question 26

Consent of the governed

Answer 26

The idea that a government’s legitimacy and moral right to use state power is justified and lawful only when consented, or agreed to, by the people over which that political power is exercised.

Question 27

Thomas Hobbes

Answer 27

BELIEVED IN AN ALL-POWERFUL KING
Social contract among the people
Purpose of gov is peace and order
“Leviathan”

Question 28

John Locke

Answer 28

Gov’s purpose is to PROTECT natural rights (life, liberty, and property)
Social contract between the people and the government
“Two Treatises of Government”

Question 29

Charles de Montesquieu

Answer 29

Gov purpose is LAW and ORDER
Should SEPARATE BRANCHES
CHECKS & BALANCES
“The Spirit of Laws”

Question 30

Jean Jacques Rousseau

Answer 30

DIRECT DEMOCRACY advocate that protects rights
SOCIAL CONTRACT for peace

Question 31

Declaration of Independence ideas from John Locke

Answer 31

Natural rights - life, liberty, property
Government’s job is to protect natural rights
Social contract - when the government fails to protect rights, THE PEOPLE CAN MAKE A NEW ONE

Question 32

Declaration of Independence ideas from Charles de Montesquieu

Answer 32

Purpose of gov is to maintain order and PROTECT liberty and property
One branch (king) CAN’T have all the power

Question 33

Declaration of Independence ideas from Jean Jacques Rousseau

Answer 33

People should never be forced to give up NATURAL RIGHTS
LIBERTY and PROPERTY should be PROTECTED