Section 1-Lecture Notes Flashcards
What is anarchy?
Life without government.
Who was Thomas Hobbes and what were the dates of his life?
An English philosopher, (1588-1651)
What is the State of Nature?
Life: unbridled freedom limited only by your own power
Implications: no commerce, no industry
How do you leave the State of Nature?
A king leads you out.
What was the Divine Right of Kings?
God decides who was king, and you obey.
Who was John Locke and what were the dates of his life?
An English philosopher, (1632-1704)
What did John Locke believe was the Origin of Government?
Men within a given area join together in a contract. These individuals agree to subject themselves to the authority of a government. They will surrender the the state as much power and liberties as is necessary to promote the safety and well-being of all. A voluntary act which makes security and thus civilization possible.
Who creates government?
The people.
What was the difference between Thomas Hobbes and John Locke?
Hobbes: King rules, people are “evil”
Locke: People are rule, are potentially “good”
What are the biggest differences between Democrats and Republicans?
Democrats: less defense, more optimistic
Republicans: more defense, more pessimistic
What did Calvinists believe in?
Predestination-poor go to hell, rich go to heaven
What does a contract do?
Implies rights and obligations on both parties.
What are the three unalienable rights?
Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.
Why was the French king, Louis 16, executed?
He helped the colonists in the American Revolutionary War.
What was the Declaration of Independence referring to when it read, “…that all men are created equal…”?
The colonies vs. the King of England.
How was a law made before 1215?
King (Idea) - Law
How was a law made from 1215 to 1649?
King (Idea) - Parliament (Y/N) - Law.
How was a law made from 1649 to 1688?
Parliament (Idea) - Law
How was a law made after 1688?
Parliament (Idea) - King (Y/N) - Law
The United States has what type of government?
Republic, Indirect Democracy
What was the Mayflower Compact and in what year was it signed?
The first governing document of Plymouth colony, 1620.
By what year did all of the colonies have legislatures?
1750.
What type of government did the Greeks have?
Direct Democracy
What type of government did the Romans have?
Representative Democracy
Describe a Parliamentary government.
- Parliament is supreme
- Very democratic
- Only checks were tradition, re-election and revolution
Name one country that has a Unitary Parliamentary government.
The United Kingdom.
Name one country that has a Unitary Constitutional government.
France.
Name one country that has a Federal Parliamentary government.
Canada.
Name one country that has a Federal Constitutional government.
The United States.
What is a Confederation?
A league of friendship.
What were the abilities of the “new” Congress as defined by the Articles of Confederation?
- Peace and War
- Treaties
- Coin money
- Borrow money
- Postal Service
What was left out of the Articles of Confederation?
- Judiciary Branch
- Executive Branch
- Power to tax
- Power to regulate trade
- Power to issue currency
What were the results of the Articles of Confederation?
- Financial chaos
- 14 different currencies
- Inflation
- Trade conflicts
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The first written constitution of the United States.
In what year were the Articles of Confederation written and in what year were they ratified?
1777, 1781.
What was Daniel Shay’s goal when he led Shay’s Rebellion?
Stop foreclosure on farms.
What were the results of the Constitutional Convention?
- Powers given to the Federal Congress
- Collection of taxes
- Maintaining of a military force
- Regulation of commerce
- Right to coin money
- An Independent Executive (President) controls the military
- A Federal judiciary headed by a Supreme Court
