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Questions and Answers
What is the basic principle of American government which states that government is restricted in what it may do?
What is the basic principle of American government which states that government is restricted in what it may do?
What system of government allows public policies to be made by officials selected by the voters?
What system of government allows public policies to be made by officials selected by the voters?
Representative Government
What document established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute in England?
What document established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute in England?
Magna Carta
What document challenged the divine right of kings and asserted that even the monarch was subject to laws?
What document challenged the divine right of kings and asserted that even the monarch was subject to laws?
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What document was designed to prevent abuse of power by English monarchs and forms the basis for much in American government today?
What document was designed to prevent abuse of power by English monarchs and forms the basis for much in American government today?
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What term describes a city's basic law or its constitution?
What term describes a city's basic law or its constitution?
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What adjective describes a legislative body composed of two chambers?
What adjective describes a legislative body composed of two chambers?
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What word refers to an organized government established by a proprietor?
What word refers to an organized government established by a proprietor?
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What adjective describes a legislative body with one chamber?
What adjective describes a legislative body with one chamber?
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What term describes a joining of several groups for a common purpose?
What term describes a joining of several groups for a common purpose?
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What plan aimed to unite the 13 colonies for trade and military purposes?
What plan aimed to unite the 13 colonies for trade and military purposes?
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What term refers to representatives in government?
What term refers to representatives in government?
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What does the term boycott mean?
What does the term boycott mean?
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What does repeal mean?
What does repeal mean?
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What principle asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power?
What principle asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power?
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What plan of government was adopted by the Continental Congress after the American Revolution?
What plan of government was adopted by the Continental Congress after the American Revolution?
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What does ratification mean?
What does ratification mean?
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What term refers to the chair or leader of a meeting?
What term refers to the chair or leader of a meeting?
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Who were the Framers of the United States Constitution?
Who were the Framers of the United States Constitution?
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What was the Virginia Plan?
What was the Virginia Plan?
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What was the New Jersey Plan?
What was the New Jersey Plan?
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What was the Connecticut Compromise?
What was the Connecticut Compromise?
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What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
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What was the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise?
What was the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise?
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Who were the Federalists?
Who were the Federalists?
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Who were the Anti-Federalists?
Who were the Anti-Federalists?
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What does the term quorum refer to?
What does the term quorum refer to?
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Study Notes
Key Principles of American Government
- Limited Government: Restricts governmental power; individual rights are protected from governmental infringement.
- Representative Government: Public policies are created by elected officials accountable through periodic elections.
- Popular Sovereignty: Power originates from the people; government authority is granted through the consent of the governed.
Historical Foundations
- Magna Carta (1215): Limited monarchic power and established fundamental legal protections such as trial by jury and due process.
- Petition of Right (1628): Challenged the divine right of kings; affirmed monarchs are subject to the law.
- English Bill of Rights (1680): Prevented monarch abuse of power; influenced American governmental structure.
Governance Structures
- Charter: A city’s constitution; a formal grant of authority from the monarchy.
- Bicameral: Legislative body with two chambers.
- Unicameral: Legislative body with one chamber.
- Proprietary: Organized by an individual granted land from the monarchy.
Early Governance Attempts
- Confederation: Alliance of groups coming together for a shared purpose.
- Albany Plan of Union (1754): Proposal by Ben Franklin to unite the colonies for trade and defense; ultimately rejected.
- Articles of Confederation: Post-Revolution government framework emphasizing state sovereignty with minimal central authority.
Constitutional Developments
- Ratification: Formal approval process for constitutions, amendments, and treaties.
- Framers: Delegates who crafted the U.S. Constitution at the 1787 Philadelphia Convention.
- Virginia Plan: Proposal for a strong central government with a bicameral legislature based on state population.
- New Jersey Plan: Counter-proposal advocating for equal representation of states in a unicameral legislature.
- Connecticut Compromise: Established a bicameral Congress; Senate with equal state representation and House based on population.
Compromises and Agreements
- Three-Fifths Compromise: Determined that slaves would be counted as three-fifths of a person for population and representation.
- Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise: Protected slaveholders; restricted Congress from taxing exports and addressing the slave trade for 20 years.
Political Factions
- Federalists: Advocates for the Constitution's ratification, emphasizing a stronger central government.
- Anti-Federalists: Opposed ratification; concerned about potential overreach of federal authority.
Legislative Procedures
- Quorum: Minimum number of members required for a legislative body to convene and conduct business.
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Description
Explore the foundational principles underpinning American government, including limited government, representative government, and popular sovereignty. This quiz delves into historical documents like the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights that shaped these principles and governance structures. Test your knowledge of how these elements influence today's political landscape.
