chapters 1.1-1.6 Flashcards
direct democracy is…?
citizens meet and vote directly on gov. decisions
representative democracy is…?
citizens choosing officials who make decisions on gov. policy
john locke believed in what?
natural rights; life, liberty, and property
hobbes believed in what?
people need to give up total freedom in order to live a peaceful life
locke vs hobbes on central gov.?
locke believed that people should give some power to the gov so that they could protect the people’s natural rights. hobbes believed society would work best if there was strict authority.
social contract theory + who believed in it?
people get in a social contract with the gov. and allow themselves to be ruled. made by rousseau
natural rights
idea that all people are born with a set of rights that no gov. can ever take away from them.
declaration of independence
made by jefferson, justified american revolution against england, built from ideas like “life, liberty, pursuit of happiness,” social contract theory, etc.
weaknesses in the articles of confederation
- states too independent, weak association
- no federal power to tax citizens
- no strong central gov to keep state govs in line
common good
whats best for the nation overall
shays rebellion
came from weaknesses in articles of confederation. farmer who protested against gov. because he lost his money and property. example of weak gov
constitutional debate
convention in philly, 1787, to write new consitution. major debates between federalists vs anti-federalists, north vs south states, big vs small states,
3/5 compromise
created by states with large enslaved population, enslaved people could vote but 1 would only count as 3/5 of a normal vote
connecticut compromise resulted in?
bicameralism
bicameralism is…?
congress/legislature having two houses, house of representatives and senate
federalists
wanted strong central gov
anti-federalists
wanted less central power more states power
what did article 1 in the constitution address?
legislative branch; house + senate: congress
what did article 2 in the constitution address?
executive branch: president + advisors
what did article 3 in the constitution address?
judicial branch: supreme court and other federal courts
what did article 4 in the constitution address?
relations between states
what did article 5 in the constitution address?
how a new amendment would be created
separation of powers
each three branches of gov have their own independent power
what does the legislative branch do?
passes laws
what does the executive branch do?
carries out laws
what does the judicial branch do?
interprets laws and decides if they’re constitutional
checks and balances
each branch has some power over the others but keeps its independence
federalism
separation of powers between federal, states, and local govs
bill of rights
1st the amendments to the constitution that guarantees certain rights
1st amendment
freedom of speech
2nd amendment
right to bear arms
4th amendment
no unreasonable searches
5th amendment
right to trial
6th amendment
right to quick trial with lawyer
8th amendment
no extreme bails or fines, no cruel or unusual punishments
10th amendment
federal gov only has the powers states in the constitution
