Final Social Studies Flashcards
What are the 3 Powers of Government? What are the functions of each?
Legislative branch- has the power to make laws and frame public policy.
Executive branch- has the power to enforce, execute, and administer laws.
Judicial branch- has the power to interpret laws and determine their constitutionality.
Who are the 2 Philosophers we discussed? What were their beliefs?
John Lock believed people were born with the rights to life, liberty, and property. (Natural rights)
Thomas Hobbs believed in divine right (to obey ruler). People gave up rights for protection and for rulers.
What is the evolutionary theory?
Developed out of families that lead to clans, then tribes inhabiting a piece of land. (John Locke)
What is forced theory?
One person or small group claiming control over a small area and forcing everyone to submit to them. (Thomas Hobbs)
What is divine right?
Power directed by God. God created the government and chose the leaders. (Thomas Hobbs)
What is social contract theory?
State comes from the will of the people to work to serve each other. (Both)
List and describe the 4 characteristics of a state.
Population- a body of people.
Territory- living in a defined space.
Sovereignty- the ability to make a decision without checking in with a higher authority.
Government- an organization of rule.
What is an oligarchy?
A small group of people hold power. Usually elite, wealthy, and self-appointed.
What is a monarchy?
A member of the royal family is the head of the government. The King or Queen’s oldest child is next in line.
What is a dictatorship?
Government has complete control. Citizens have no say.
What is a direct democracy?
People make decisions and vote. No one is voting on behalf of others.
What is a representative democracy?
One person or multiple people represent a larger group of people. Elected officials vote on behalf of others.
What is a theocracy?
God is the ultimate authority. All decisions are made by God and religious law.
What is anarchy?
No rule of law at all. Everyone’s for themselves.
What was the Magna Carta?
Was the first document written in June 1215 that established the principle that the King and his government were not above the law.
How did the Magna Carta influence our current written law (Constitution)?
Some laws that were part of the Magna Carta are part of our US Constitution today. These laws include unlawful searches and seizures, the right to a speedy trial, and protection against loss of life, liberty, and happiness.
What is the Declaration of Independence? Why was it written?
The Declaration of Independence was the United States’s “break up” letter from Britain. The United States wanted freedom from Britain’s control.
List and describe the sections of the Declaration of Independence (there are 4 sections).
- Preamble- introduction to why they wanted separation. The purposes.
- Natural Rights- Claimed that people were born with and deserved natural rights.
- Grievances- Complaints that caused them to want separation.
- Resolution of Independence- declared America separated and no longer a part of Britain.
What are the Articles of Confederation? Why were they written?
The Articles of Confederation was a document that helped establish a league of friendship between the states. They were written to give states sovereignty, freedom, and friendship.
Why were the Articles of Confederation considered a “weak” document?
It was a “weak” document because the government didn’t have the power to tax, didn’t have the power to regulate trade, and there was a lack of power to make the states obey the Articles.
Describe the differing views of the Federalists and Anti-Federalists.
Anti-federalists- they wanted a small central government and they wanted the constitution to give them rights. They feared having a King.
Federalists- they wanted a strong central government. Believed that it was necessary if states were going to bond together.
List the 6 Purposes of Government.
Form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, provide for the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty.
What is Federalism? Where is Federalism found in the Constitution?
The power is divided between states and the federal government. States are responsible for controlling smaller territorial states while the federal government is responsible for controlling the entire country. Federalism can be found in Article 4 of the Constitution.
What are checks and balances? Why were they included in the Constitution?
Checks and balances were built into the Constitution to ensure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful. Each branch has some power over the other. They were included in the Constitution to prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
Give an example of how each branch is able to check the other.
- Legislative vs Executive- Congress can pass new bills- the president must approve or veto these bills- Congress can override presidential vetoes with a ⅔ majority vote.
- Executive vs Judicial- The president appoints all Supreme Court Justices- The Supreme Court can declare any executive acts unconstitutional.
- Legislative vs Judicial- Congress can impeach, remove, and must approve the appointment of all federal judges- The Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional.
What is popular sovereignty?
All the power is given to the people. Representatives are chosen by the people.
What is limited government?
The government only has the power to do what the people allow them to do.
What is a separation of powers?
Separates the power of the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.
What are checks and balances?
Ensures that each branch has equal power. Each branch has a restraint on another in some way.
What is judicial review?
Power of the court to determine the constitutionality of a government and laws.
What is the first amendment?
The right to freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and freedom of religion.
What is the second amendment?
The right to bear arms.
What is the third amendment?
No soldier in a time of peace or war shall be quartered to a home without the owner’s permission.
What is the fourth amendment?
People have the right to secure their property against unreasonable searches and seizures. No Warrants shall be issued without probable cause.
What is the fifth amendment?
No person shall be charged with a crime unless charged by the jury, can’t be charged for the same crime twice (double jeopardy), has the right to remain silent, and can’t be deprived of life, liberty, or happiness without due process of the law.
What is the sixth amendment?
The right to a speedy trial, the right to a lawyer, the right to know your accusers, and the charges against you.
What is the seventh amendment?
If the value of the dispute costs more than 20 dollars, people will have the right to a jury.
What is the eighth amendment?
No excessive fines or bails shall be required nor cruel or unusual punishment.
What is the ninth amendment?
The rights that are specified in the Constitution are not the only rights that the people shall be limited to.
What is the tenth amendment?
Any power not listed out for the federal government goes to the states.
What does the term “ratify” mean? How does this relate to the Constitution?
Ratify means to make something valid, to accept. This relates to the Constitution because article 7 of the Constitution lists how to approve and accept the Constitution.
What were the two arguments “for and against” ratification of the Constitution?
Federalists believed that in order to create a stronger government and to United the States, the Constitution needed to be approved to guarantee people’s rights.
Anti-federalists believed that the Constitution betrayed the American Revolution and worried about the government becoming too powerful.
