Podcast
Questions and Answers
What was the primary purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
What was the primary purpose of the Mayflower Compact?
- To promote religious practices among Pilgrims
- To declare independence from England
- To outline rights of Englishmen
- To establish a legal form of self-government (correct)
Which Enlightenment thinker developed the concept of social contract theory?
Which Enlightenment thinker developed the concept of social contract theory?
- John Locke (correct)
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau
- Montesquieu
- Thomas Hobbes
According to social contract theory, what obligation do government leaders have?
According to social contract theory, what obligation do government leaders have?
- To provide wealth for all citizens
- To maintain the status quo
- To suppress any dissent
- To rule justly (correct)
Under social contract theory, what right do the people have if the government abuses its power?
Under social contract theory, what right do the people have if the government abuses its power?
What was a major motivation for the Pilgrims' journey to North America?
What was a major motivation for the Pilgrims' journey to North America?
Which document is considered a precedent set by the Mayflower Compact?
Which document is considered a precedent set by the Mayflower Compact?
How did America's Founding Fathers view the rights of individuals?
How did America's Founding Fathers view the rights of individuals?
On what basis did the Founding Fathers decide to revolt against British rule?
On what basis did the Founding Fathers decide to revolt against British rule?
What significant event took place on July 4, 1776?
What significant event took place on July 4, 1776?
Which of the following statements is true about the Articles of Confederation?
Which of the following statements is true about the Articles of Confederation?
What does the phrase 'checks and balances' refer to in the context of the U.S. Constitution?
What does the phrase 'checks and balances' refer to in the context of the U.S. Constitution?
What is the significance of the Bill of Rights?
What is the significance of the Bill of Rights?
Which document did Lincoln issue on January 1, 1863?
Which document did Lincoln issue on January 1, 1863?
What statement is included in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?
What statement is included in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?
Which of the following statements about the Gettysburg Address is correct?
Which of the following statements about the Gettysburg Address is correct?
Flashcards
Social Contract Theory
Social Contract Theory
The idea that government is a contract between the people and their leaders, with obligations on both sides.
Mayflower Compact
Mayflower Compact
An early American document establishing self-government, signed by Pilgrims in 1620.
Social Contract Obligations
Social Contract Obligations
The responsibilities of both the government and the people in a social contract; the government must rule justly and the people must obey the law.
Right to Revolution
Right to Revolution
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John Locke
John Locke
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Natural Rights
Natural Rights
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Declaration of Independence
Declaration of Independence
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US Constitution
US Constitution
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Articles of Confederation
Articles of Confederation
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Branches of Government
Branches of Government
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Gettysburg Address
Gettysburg Address
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Emancipation Proclamation
Emancipation Proclamation
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Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights
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Study Notes
Mayflower Compact
- 41 Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact on November 11, 1620.
- Intended to establish self-government and order.
- Pilgrims were settling outside their granted jurisdiction.
Social Contract Theory
- Foundation for the Mayflower Compact and the Declaration of Independence.
- Developed by John Locke.
- Argues government is a contract between the people and their leaders.
- Leaders have an obligation to rule justly; people to obey the law.
- If the government abuses power, people can change it.
- Provides the basis for "of the people, by the people, for the people" government.
Declaration of Independence
- Signed on July 2, 1776; ratified on July 4, 1776.
- Written by Thomas Jefferson.
- Declared independence from Great Britain.
- Key phrase: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."
- Signed by 56 revolutionaries, including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
Articles of Confederation
- America's first constitution.
- Created in 1777.
- Outlined relations between states and central government.
- Found to be too weak, leading to the Constitution.
U.S. Constitution
- Drafted in 1787, ratified in 1788.
- Outlines government powers.
- Divides power among three branches: legislative, judicial, and executive.
- Includes a system of checks and balances.
- Preamble begins with: "We the People of the United States..."
Bill of Rights
- First ten amendments to the Constitution.
- Protect individual rights.
- Twenty-seven amendments in total.
Civil War Era Documents
- Gettysburg Address:
- Given by Abraham Lincoln on November 19, 1863.
- Focuses on national unity and equality.
- Initially considered a poor speech but became highly influential.
- Emancipation Proclamation:
- Issued by Lincoln on January 1, 1863.
- Granted freedom to slaves in Confederate states.
- Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address:
- Delivered on March 4, 1865.
- Emphasized national healing, using the phrase, "with malice toward none, with charity for all".
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