Unit I Flashcards
(39 cards)
What ideas does the Declaration of Independence represent?
The Declaration of Independence represents social contract (the right to overthrow the government if the government infringes upon the natural rights of citizens) popular sovereignty (the consent of the governed) and natural rights (certain unalienable rights given to the governed)
What foundational ideas exist in the Government of United States?
natural rights
popular sovereignty
social contract
republicanism
The 4 foundational ideas exist together as what main concept of the government?
Limited Government
Explain Limited Government?
Limited Government is the idea of the government being limited in terms of power and all power is resided mainly in the hands of the people
Explain republicanism
republicanism is the idea of selecting representatives to restate decisions and opinions of the people towards the government
what are the the types of representatives
participatory democracy is the democracy in which all citizens participate by giving their voice.
pluralist democracy is the democracy in which like minded people gather together as interest groups and compromise with other interest groups to make decisions.
elitist democracy is the democracy in which a select group of wealthy/powerful people make decisions for the whole government as they are closer to power and can implement decisions faster.
Where can you see participatory democracy?
In the Constitution, the elected house of representatives
Where can you see pluralist democracy?
Can be seen in Federalist No. 10 and Brutus 1
Where can you see elitist democracy?
Elitist democracy can be seen in the Constitution as well, the Electoral College in which electoral decide the President not the people.
Who wrote Federalist 10
James Madison
What is the Articles of Confederation?
Articles of Confederation was the first Constitution of the United States
What was so unique about the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation gave the Federal Government no power to tax and denial of a standing army.
How did this affect the condition of the Federal Government at first?
The Federal Government had zero shares of the revenue and because there were no federal troops, it led to Shays Rebellion, an uproar caused by the citizens.
What is the Shay’s Rebellion?
A havoc created by angry farmers in Massachusetts, it showed the lack of federal troops when needed and showed a really weak Centralized Government
What did Shay’s Rebellion lead to?
It led to modification of Articles of Confederation in the event called Constitutional Convention in 1787.
Who led the Constitutional Convention?
George Washington
What changes were made?
They made an altogether new Constitution
What does this Constitution include?
The Great Compromise - in which there would be two houses, the House of Representatives based on population, and the Senates based on equal representation of all States.
What other compromises does the new Constitution include?
The new Constitution includes 3/5th Compromise and the Compromise of Electoral College and the importation of Slaves
The 3/5th Compromise includes counting 3/5th of the slaves into representation.
The Electoral College came into existence, it’s about voting of President by a select group of electoral.
The Importation of Slaves makes a promise to talk about banning Slave trade after 20 years in 1808.
What else did the delegates agree upon in Constitutional Convention (HINT - to amend)
The delegates wanted to make it easier to edit in the Constitution when neccessary.
What was added in the Constitution to make it easier for the Constitution to be changed?
Article 5 is added.
What is included in Article 5?
There are two steps written to approve change of Constitution parts, to propose and then ratify.
What is necessary for the proposal of Amendment to take place?
2/3rds of States and 2/3rds of Congress (2/3rds of both Houses)
What is necessary for the proposal to be ratified?
For 3/4rths of the State Legislators to agree
