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Terms in this set (201)
View "separation of power"
Founding Fathers used his views
when writing the Constitution.
Baron De Montesquieu He described the separation of
political power among a
legislature, an executive, and a
judiciary
He wrote that government is
morally obligated to serve
people, namely by protecting
John Locke their natural rights of life, liberty,
and property.
Think-Declaration of
Independence
A social contract is the belief
that the state only exists to
serve the will of the people.
He believed when government
John Locke "Social
violates individual rights, people
Contract"
were obligated to rebel.
Think - Declaration of
Independence/American
Revolution
First document to limit the
powers of the king - signed in
1215.
Citizens could not be deprived
Magna Carta (1215) of life, liberty or property
without a lawful judgment of
their peers or by law of the land.
, Established freedom from
taxation without representation,
outlawed cruel and unusual
punishment, guaranteed the
English Bill of Rights (1689)
right to bear arms, and many
other rights.
Many of these same rights are
included in the U.S. Constitution.
First document to establish self-
government in the colonies.
Mayflower Compact
Signed before the passengers
(1620)
left the ship, The Mayflower, to
settle in Plymouth Colony.
Pamphlet encouraging colonists
to demand their rights as
Common Sense (Thomas citizens and support
Paine) independence for the colonies.
Ideas are echoed in the
Declaration of Independence.
Government or control of a
country by its own members
Self-Government
rather than by members of a
different country.
Statement of American ideals -
role of government is to protect
their natural rights (life, liberty,
pursuit of happiness) - adopted
Declaration of July 4, 1776.
Independence Also listed grievances against
the king. Colonists were angry
over being taxed without their
consent (no taxation without
representation).
Assent Official approval or agreement
Cruel and oppressive
government or rule.
Tyranny
, Protests by Massachusetts
farmers over tax collections and
judgments for debt. State militia
Shay's Rebellion (1787) crushed the rebels.
Alarmed politicians - cited as a
reason to revise or replace the
Articles of Confederation.
First form of government for
America.
Many Weaknesses:
Only had a Congress where 9
out of the 13 states had to agree.
No executive or judicial branch
Articles of Confederation
(power to enforce or interpret
laws).
States had the majority of the
power.
Country in debt - no way to
raise money.
Introduction to the U.S.
Constitution, establishing the
goals and purposes of
government.
Preamble to the
"We the People" = government
Constitution
depends on the people for its
power and exists to serve them.
Sets up the six goals of
government.
Any government whose
Constitutional authority and construction are
Government defined by a constitution.
Powers of government are
divided among three branches
of government: Legislative,
Executive, and Judicial.
Separation of Powers
Limits the power of government.
Montesquieu (French
philosopher) believed this was a