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American Government > Section 1-Lecture Notes > Flashcards

Section 1-Lecture Notes Flashcards

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1
Q

What is anarchy?

A

Life without government.

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2
Q

Who was Thomas Hobbes and what were the dates of his life?

A

An English philosopher, (1588-1651)

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3
Q

What is the State of Nature?

A

Life: unbridled freedom limited only by your own power

Implications: no commerce, no industry

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4
Q

How do you leave the State of Nature?

A

A king leads you out.

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5
Q

What was the Divine Right of Kings?

A

God decides who was king, and you obey.

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6
Q

Who was John Locke and what were the dates of his life?

A

An English philosopher, (1632-1704)

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7
Q

What did John Locke believe was the Origin of Government?

A

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.

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8
Q

Who creates government?

A

The people.

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9
Q

What was the difference between Thomas Hobbes and John Locke?

A

Hobbes: King rules, people are “evil”

Locke: People are rule, are potentially “good”

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10
Q

What are the biggest differences between Democrats and Republicans?

A

Democrats: less defense, more optimistic

Republicans: more defense, more pessimistic

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11
Q

What did Calvinists believe in?

A

Predestination-poor go to hell, rich go to heaven

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12
Q

What does a contract do?

A

Implies rights and obligations on both parties.

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13
Q

What are the three unalienable rights?

A

Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

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14
Q

Why was the French king, Louis 16, executed?

A

He helped the colonists in the American Revolutionary War.

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15
Q

What was the Declaration of Independence referring to when it read, “…that all men are created equal…”?

A

The colonies vs. the King of England.

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16
Q

How was a law made before 1215?

A

King (Idea) - Law

17
Q

How was a law made from 1215 to 1649?

A

King (Idea) - Parliament (Y/N) - Law.

18
Q

How was a law made from 1649 to 1688?

A

Parliament (Idea) - Law

19
Q

How was a law made after 1688?

A

Parliament (Idea) - King (Y/N) - Law

20
Q

The United States has what type of government?

A

Republic, Indirect Democracy

21
Q

What was the Mayflower Compact and in what year was it signed?

A

The first governing document of Plymouth colony, 1620.

22
Q

By what year did all of the colonies have legislatures?

A

1750.

23
Q

What type of government did the Greeks have?

A

Direct Democracy

24
Q

What type of government did the Romans have?

A

Representative Democracy

25
Q

Describe a Parliamentary government.

A
  • Parliament is supreme
  • Very democratic
  • Only checks were tradition, re-election and revolution
26
Q

Name one country that has a Unitary Parliamentary government.

A

The United Kingdom.

27
Q

Name one country that has a Unitary Constitutional government.

A

France.

28
Q

Name one country that has a Federal Parliamentary government.

A

Canada.

29
Q

Name one country that has a Federal Constitutional government.

A

The United States.

30
Q

What is a Confederation?

A

A league of friendship.

31
Q

What were the abilities of the “new” Congress as defined by the Articles of Confederation?

A
  • Peace and War
  • Treaties
  • Coin money
  • Borrow money
  • Postal Service
32
Q

What was left out of the Articles of Confederation?

A
  • Judiciary Branch
  • Executive Branch
  • Power to tax
  • Power to regulate trade
  • Power to issue currency
33
Q

What were the results of the Articles of Confederation?

A
  • Financial chaos
  • 14 different currencies
  • Inflation
  • Trade conflicts
34
Q

What were the Articles of Confederation?

A

The first written constitution of the United States.

35
Q

In what year were the Articles of Confederation written and in what year were they ratified?

A

1777, 1781.

36
Q

What was Daniel Shay’s goal when he led Shay’s Rebellion?

A

Stop foreclosure on farms.

37
Q

What were the results of the Constitutional Convention?

A
  • 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

American Government (4 decks)

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