Origins of American Government

Question 1

What are the four theories in which governments acquire power?

Answer 1

Force theory, evolutionary theory, Divine right theory, and the Social contract theory

Question 2

Force theory

Answer 2

• One person/small group claimed control over an area of land
• person/group forced all within the area to submit to their rule

Question 3

Evolutionary theory

Answer 3

• Primitive families developed into tribes
• With a supreme leader
• When agriculture began the state was born

Question 4

Divine right theory

Answer 4

• God created the territory
• God gave those of royal birth the ¨divine” right to rule over the territory
• People were bound to obey their ruler as they would God

Question 5

Social contract theory

Answer 5

• The state is that of a “social contract”
• People voluntarily agreed with one another to create a government.
• The state served the will of the people.
• If the government abuses power, the people can abolish the government

Question 6

What are the three basic powers of government?

Answer 6

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

Question 7

Legislative branch

Answer 7

• Power to make laws

- Shape public policy

Question 8

Executive branch

Answer 8

• Power to execute and enforce the laws

- Power to administer the laws

Question 9

Judicial branch

Answer 9

• Power to interpret the laws

- Power to settle disputes regarding laws

Question 10

What is the significance of the Magna Carta?

Answer 10

It established the principle that everyone is subject to the law, even the king, and guarantees the rights for individuals, even the right to a fair trial

Question 11

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

Answer 11

• All men are born with natural rights: life liberty, and property
• When government doesn’t protect these natural rights, it can be abolished

Question 12

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

Answer 12

• Only good government is one freely formed by the people
• Government should be guided by the “general will” of society
• Direct Democracy

Question 13

What were the main concepts behind Baron de Montesquieu’s writings?

Answer 13

• Coined the idea of “Separation of powers”

- Basic government powers should be divided among equal branches of government

Question 14

Why is the Mayflower compact considered a social contract?

Answer 14

Because it agreed to follow the rules outline in the document in order to assure their survival and it pledged allegiance to the King of England

Question 15

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 15

Declare independence from Britain

Question 16

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

Answer 16

Articles of Confederation

Question 17

How was the government described and organized.

Answer 17

• Composed of an unicameral Congress
• Granted very limited powers
• Granted only legislative powers
• Created “firm league of friendship” among states
• States drew up individual constitutions to replace their royal charters

Question 18

What were the strengths of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 18

• Created permanent Union of the States
• Congress was established to represent all 13 states
• Congress was able to settle disputes
• Congress dealt with foreign policy
• Divided power ensured to monarchy

Question 19

What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 19

• Government could not tax
• Government could not raise army
• No executive
• Trade and commerce was difficult
• Amendment requires all 13 states to approve

Question 20

What problems did the Articles of Confederation create?

Answer 20

• Central government was in debt - states were encouraged but not required to send money
• States organized militias/national government was forced to rely upon volunteers for its military
• No unifying force to represent interests of the 13 states.
• No national executive to lead the nation
• No uniform currency. States competed rather than cooperate
• All 13 states had to ratify changes making the government processes difficult

Question 21

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

Answer 21

To revise government

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Anti-federalists opposed the ratification

Question 23

Why did the Anti-Federalists apples the constitution?

Answer 23

• Huge increase in power of central government
• Lack of a Bill of Rights
• God was not mentioned in the document
• Did not allow states to print money
• Ratify process (all or nothing)

Question 24

Why did the Federalist support the new Constitution?

Answer 24

• Favored ratification of the Constitution
• Stressed the weaknesses of the Article
• Argued need of a new, strong, central government

Question 25

Why did the states agree to ratify the Constitution?

Answer 25

The states agreed because the federalists agreed to add a Bill of Rights to protect the citizens of the new government