Q1 Exam Unit Questions: Founding Documents and the Rise of Segregation Flashcards
What is the Declaration of Independence and why was it important?
The Declaration of Independence broke away from the British system of government
It was important because it aimed to create a governemnt where “all men are created equal”
What major issues does the Constitution address?
Constitution covers 7 major principles
- popular sovereignty
- republicanism
- limited government
- federalism
- seperation of powers
- checks and balances
- individual rights
Popular sovereignty
Authority of the people
The people consent to be governed and specify the powers and rules by which they shall be governed
Republicanism
Voters hold sovereign power in a republican system
People elect representatives and give them the responsibility to make laws and conduct government
Limited government
Prevent government from using its power to give one group special advantages or to deprive another group of its rights
Federalism
Shared power
States would give up some powers while retaining others
Separation of powers
Prevents any single group/institution in gov. from gaining too much power
Fed. government is divided into 3 branches, legislative, executive and judicial
Checks and balances
each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches
Individual rights
Bill of rights protects basic liberties and rights
What were the short term causes of the Civil War?
- Election of Lincoln
- Secession of the Southern states
- Firing on Fort Sumter
What were the long term causes of the Civil War?
- Conflict over slavery between North and South
- Economic differences between North and South
- Failure of Compromise in Congress
What needed to be accomplished during Reconstruction? Why was Reconstruction difficult?
Reconstruction was the period of rebuilding after the Civil War, where the Confederate states were admitted back into the Union
