Development of US Democracy and Enlightenment Ideas
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Questions and Answers

What does Locke argue is the primary reason for the existence of government?

  • To protect natural rights (correct)
  • To enforce religious conformity
  • To provide social order
  • To distribute wealth equitably

In the state of nature, what rights did Locke claim people possessed?

  • Natural rights (correct)
  • Economic rights
  • Political rights
  • Civil liberties

Which political theory was developed by Montesquieu?

  • Utilitarianism
  • Direct democracy
  • Social contract theory
  • Separation of powers (correct)

What is the purpose of checks and balances in government according to Montesquieu?

<p>To ensure branches hold each other accountable (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental principle of law did William Blackstone advocate for?

<p>Common law (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by 'precedents' in the context of common law?

<p>Decisions made in previous court cases (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In cases of tyranny, what did Locke state the people have the right to do?

<p>Overthrow the government (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of government does the theory of separation of powers aim to address?

<p>Balance control among different branches (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between direct democracy and representative democracy?

<p>In direct democracy, citizens vote directly on all decisions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the Roman Republic influenced modern democratic governments?

<p>The checks and balances system. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What fundamental rights did the Magna Carta attempt to define?

<p>Individual rights of nobles. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Why is the concept of separation of powers important in government?

<p>It prevents the concentration of power in one branch. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which concept is associated with the idea of checks and balances?

<p>Each branch can limit the powers of the others. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which historical figure is closely associated with the development of individual rights in governance?

<p>King John of England (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In modern democracy, the principle of representative democracy is best illustrated by which of the following?

<p>Citizens elect lawmakers to create policies. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The concept of individual rights as established by documents like the Magna Carta contributed to which of the following?

<p>The development of constitutional law. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was one significant principle established by the Magna Carta?

<p>Leaders must adhere to the law. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which document directly drew influence from the principles of the Magna Carta?

<p>The United States Constitution (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which Enlightenment philosopher believed that a strong government is necessary to avoid chaos?

<p>Thomas Hobbes (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What concept did Montesquieu contribute to the development of government that is crucial for preventing tyranny?

<p>Separation of powers (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was a common belief among Enlightenment philosophers regarding government authority?

<p>Authority is based on consent of the governed. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What did the Enlightenment thinkers emphasize as essential to individual rights?

<p>Natural rights (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts was included in Hobbes' social contract theory?

<p>People should give up certain rights for order. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What principle plays a critical role in ensuring that the power of government is distributed and limited?

<p>Checks and balances (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Natural Rights

Basic rights people possess in a state of nature, prior to government.

Protect Natural Rights

The primary purpose of government, according to Locke.

Right to Overthrow Tyranny

People's right, in certain situations, to remove an unjust government.

Separation of Powers

Political theory where government divided into distinct branches, each with different tasks.

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Checks and Balances

The power branches in government have checking each other.

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Common Law

A legal system based on previous court rulings.

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Precedent

Past court decisions used in similar cases.

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Same Interpretation

The idea that previous court rulings are followed in similar cases

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Modern Democracy

A contemporary form of a very old type of government.

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Athenian Assembly

A direct democracy where citizens directly voted on decisions.

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Roman Republic

A representative democracy established by ancient Rome.

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Republican System

A system of government used by the Founding Fathers influenced by Roman Republic.

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Magna Carta

An attempt to define individual rights in England.

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Fiefs

Tracts of land granted to nobles in the feudal system.

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Serfs

Peasants who worked the manor's land in exchange for protection.

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Direct Democracy

A system where citizens make decisions directly.

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Magna Carta principle

Leaders are not above the law.

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Enlightenment effect on US government

The Enlightenment influenced the US government's structure and ideals, including concepts of liberty and rights.

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Enlightenment philosophers' role

They challenged the idea that kings received authority from God, advocating for new theories of government with emphasis on rights.

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Hobbes's social contract

People give up some rights to the government to maintain peace and avoid war.

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Hobbes's view of the state of nature

It was a war of all against all.

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Hobbes's solution to the state of nature

An absolute government to ensure peace and prevent ongoing conflict.

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Magna Carta's influence

Influenced the US Constitution and Bill of Rights.

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Right to speedy trial

A fundamental right that guarantees a swift process for judicial resolution.

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Study Notes

Development of US Democracy

  • US democracy is a modern version of older forms of government
  • Ancient Greece's Athenian assembly was a direct democracy, where citizens voted on government decisions.
  • Ancient Rome established a representative democracy, known as the Roman Republic, with elements like checks and balances.
  • Feudalism involved kings granting land (fiefs) to nobles in exchange for loyalty and service, creating a hierarchical system.
  • Magna Carta, an English document, established the principle that even kings were not above the law, influencing US Constitution and Bill of Rights.

Enlightenment

  • Enlightenment philosophers, like Hobbes, Locke, and Montesquieu, influenced the Founding Fathers' ideas about liberty, natural rights, social contract, and popular sovereignty.
  • Hobbes: Believed people naturally exist in a "state of war" and surrender rights for social order through a social contract, needing strong government.
  • Locke: Argued people possess natural rights (life, liberty, property) and governments exist to protect those rights. He believed that people had the right to overthrow unjust governments.
  • Montesquieu: Developed the idea of the separation of powers to prevent tyranny, dividing government into branches with checks and balances.
  • Blackstone: Advocated for common law, where interpretations of law are based on past rulings.

Colonial and Revolutionary America

  • Colonists established governments, influenced by their home country's traditions.
  • Mayflower Compact expressed the concept of consent of the governed.
  • Mercantilism, the British economic policy, aimed to increase England's wealth through controlling colonial trade.
  • French and Indian War strained the relationship between Britain and the colonies, leading to increased British control.

Changes in Imperial Policy

  • Britain imposed new taxes (Stamp Act) on colonies to pay for the costs of defending them after the French and Indian War.
  • Colonial resistance to taxation, like "No taxation without representation," arose, culminating in the Boston Tea Party.
  • Intolerable Acts, a series of laws, were imposed on colonies after the Boston Tea Party.
  • Colonists protested the Intolerable Acts, culminating in the Continental Congress leading to the American Revolution.

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Description

Explore the evolution of US democracy from its ancient roots in Greece and Rome to its modern form. This quiz examines the influence of Enlightenment philosophers on the founding principles of the United States, including concepts of liberty, rights, and government. Test your knowledge on key historical documents and ideas that shaped American democracy.

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