Origins of American Government

Question 1

What were the main concepts behind John Locke’s writings?

Answer 1

• Government is based on a social contract between people and ruler(s)
• All men are born with natural rights. (Life, Liberty, and property)
• When the government stops protecting these rights, it can be abolished

Question 2

What were the main concepts behind Jean Jacques Rousseau’s writings?

Answer 2

• Rousseau came up with the idea of “separation of powers”. Government power should be divided
• good governements are formed by the people
• Government should be guided by the “general will” of society, direct democracy

Question 3

Why is the Mayflower Compact considered a social contract?

Answer 3

• The agreement was made to follow the rules in the document in order to assure survival
• Pledged alliance to the King of England

Question 4

What was the purpose behind the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 4

• It gave complete independence from England
• Stated “repeated injuries and usurpations” against the colonies by King George III
• Stated the existence of a new nation

Question 5

What was the first written plan of government for the United States?

Answer 5

The Articles of Confederation

Question 6

How was the first written plan for the government described?

Answer 6

• Composed of a unicameral congress

- Granted very little powers, only legislative powers, created “firm league of friendship” among the States

Question 7

How was the first written plan for the government organized?

Answer 7

States wrote their own constitutions to replace royalty

Question 8

Why did the delegates meet at a convention in May 1787?

Answer 8

They decided they needed to amend the Articles of Confederation (idk???)

Question 9

Why did the new constitution not go into effect right away?

Answer 9

Because it had to be ratified by the states

Question 10

Why did the Anti-Federalists oppose the new Constitution?

Answer 10

• Huge increase in power of the central government
• Lack of Bill of rights
• God was not mentioned
• Did not allow states to print money
• They didnt like the ratification process (all or nothing)

Question 11

Why did the Federalist support the new Constitution?

Answer 11

They said that we needed a new, strong, Central government, and the Constitution was the answer
-They stressed the weaknesses of the Articles

Question 12

Why did the states agree to ratify the Constitution?

Answer 12

-Partly because of the Federalist Papers
-These were essays written to answer anti-federalist attacks to the new Constitution and appeared in newspapers, pamphlets
-A bill of rights was written
(idk???)