Background to American Gov Flashcards
When was the constitution written?
1787
What does democracy mean?
A form of government in which the people are the ultimate authority
Who is disqualified from voting?
Those under 18, clinically insane, felons and those under the supervision of another citizen.
What year were African-American men given the right to vote?
1870
What year were women given the right to vote?
1920
What type of democracy is the U.S. and what does it mean?
We are a representative democracy, meaning citizens elect officials to represent them
How is a representative democracy different than a direct democracy?
In a direct democracy, citizens vote directly on policy (example, referenda)
What is elite theory?
People of the elite theory believe that no matter how the vote turns out, a small number of people will do what they want to do - essentially that their vote doesn’t matter
The framers of the constitution held a form of elitist theory, why?
They believed that only men who owned a certain amount of property should vote
What 2 concepts of government arise in the Mayflower Compact?
Government by consent and a willingness to live under rule of law
Before the revolutionary war, how did colonists learn to govern themselves?
Britain had a global empire and avoided strict enforcement of parliamentary laws in what is known as salutary neglect
What led to the end of salutary neglect?
After the French and Indian war, Britain wanted the colonies to be more obedient and better contributors to the empire
Who were Tories?
British loyalists living in America
What were the philosophical roots of the Revolutionary war?
American leaders drew upon Greek and Roman ideas and knew of the democracy that existed in ancient Athens
Who was John Salisbury?
12th century Englishman who argued that law was given by God and that if a monarch placed himself above the law, the people should revolt
What principles from the Magna Carta were important to
The government could not levy taxes without council approval, a person could only be imprisoned after a trial by jury, the king himself was under the law
What influence did John Locke have on the framers of the Constitution?
Locke’s Second Treatise on Civil Government stated that government officials were accountable to the law, the purpose of the law was to promote the good of the people, people need to have a say in taxation, “life, liberty and property” are human rights, people have the right to overthrow government
what was accomplished at the first continental congress?
Colonists argued whether or not independence should be sought. The congress appealed to Britain to repeal the tax laws and called for a boycott of British goods.
What was accomplished at the second continental congress?
The Declaration of Independence was signed.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
the result of the pre-independence government call for a constitution. They were fully ratified in 1781.
What year did America win the Revolutionary war?
1781
What was the three-fifths compromise?
for purposes of representation, whether or not to count slaves as people. Every 5 slaves counted for 3 people.
What does strong executive mean?
The central figure would have great power, but be easily checked.
How is a state’s representation in the electoral college counted?
Equivalent to the number of the state’s senate and house members
