Questions and Answers
What term expresses the idea that government should be restricted in its lawful uses of power?
Who is the European philosopher whose concept of natural rights had the greatest impact on American politics?
Locke
What do natural rights theorists maintain?
That certain rights belonged to people in their natural state before governments were created
What strengthened early Americans' preference for limited government?
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On what basis did the American colonists claim the right to revolt against Britain's authority?
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What philosophy of rights is reflected in the words of the Declaration of Independence?
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Through the grants of power in the Constitution, what did the Framers seek to achieve?
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What does the Constitution generally prevent the government from doing regarding habeas corpus?
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List the correct chronology of these events: Boston Tea Party, First Continental Congress, Declaration of Independence.
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What principle is the basis for checks and balances in government?
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What significant modification did the Framers make to the traditional doctrine of the separation of powers?
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What is the most significant restraint that Congress imposes on the president?
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When was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
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Whose concept is most associated with the idea of separation of powers?
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Why is Marbury v. Madison considered a landmark Supreme Court decision?
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Why was Marbury v. Madison an ingenious decision?
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Who referred to his victory in the presidential election as the Revolution of 1800?
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What is a traditional objection to democratic government?
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What term describes the form of government in which power resides with the people but is limited to protect the rights of minorities?
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What was Edmund Burke's idea of a representative as trustees based on?
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Who were entrusted with the selection of U.S. senators according to the Framers?
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Why was the Electoral College devised as the method of choosing presidents?
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The term of office for a U.S. senator is ___ years, while that of a member of the U.S. House is ___ years.
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What justification did the writers of the Constitution provide for different methods of selection and varying terms of office?
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What did Thomas Jefferson proclaim the Revolution of 1800 as a victory of?
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How did Andrew Jackson persuade the states regarding presidential electors?
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What was the first plan of government for the United States?
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What did progressive reforms include?
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Study Notes
Limited Government and Natural Rights
- Limited government restricts lawful uses of power to safeguard individual liberties.
- John Locke's concept of natural rights significantly influenced American political thought.
- Natural rights theorists assert that individuals possess certain rights inherently prior to government existence.
Historical Context of Limited Government
- Early Americans favored limited government due to exposure to the Iroquois Confederacy, Lockean philosophy, harsh British policies post-French and Indian War, and issues like taxation without representation.
- Colonists justified the revolt against Britain based on violations of their rights as British subjects.
Influence of the Declaration of Independence
- The Declaration of Independence mirrors Locke's philosophy of inalienable rights, reinforcing the idea of individual sovereignty.
Constitutional Framework
- The Constitution was designed by the Framers to balance governmental empowerment and limitation.
- Writ of habeas corpus ensures individuals cannot be imprisoned without legal justification.
- Chronological key events: Boston Tea Party (1773), First Continental Congress (1774), Declaration of Independence (1776).
Checks and Balances
- The principle of checks and balances operates on the idea that power must counteract power among branches of government.
- The Framers modified separation of powers to create overlapping authorities among branches for effective checks on each other.
Congressional Authority
- Congress's significant check on presidential power comes through its authority to create laws and manage appropriations, impacting executive initiatives.
Judicial Review
- Marbury v. Madison established judicial review, setting a precedent for courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions without direct conflict with other branches.
Governance and Representation
- Thomas Jefferson called his electoral victory the "Revolution of 1800," representing a shift toward common people's influence in governance.
- Concerns about the "tyranny of the majority" highlight traditional criticisms of democratic government structures.
- The term "republic" describes a government where power resides with the people but is limited to protect minority rights.
Representation Models
- Edmund Burke posited that representatives should act as trustees, using their judgment for public interest.
- Initially, U.S. Senators were selected by state legislatures, emphasizing state power in federal structures.
Presidential Elections
- The Electoral College was created to insulate the presidency from popular pressures and legislative machinations.
- Senators serve six-year terms, while House members serve two-year terms, allowing varying degrees of stability and responsiveness in governance.
Resistance to Majoritarian Rule
- The Constitution's differing selection methods and terms for the president, Senate, and House aim to guard against majoritarian excesses.
- Jefferson's "Revolution of 1800" symbolized a triumph of common citizenry over elite interests.
Electoral Processes and Reforms
- Andrew Jackson championed the choice of presidential electors through popular voting, aligning electoral processes with democratic principles.
- The first U.S. government framework was a confederation, a loose union of states before a stronger centralized government was established.
- Progressive reforms have sought to enhance democratic engagement through mechanisms like primary elections and the direct election of public officials.
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Description
Explore essential concepts from Chapter 2 of AP Government through these flashcards. Test your understanding of key terms like limited government and the influence of philosophers such as John Locke on American political thought.
