Foundational Concepts of American Government

Front

Natural Rights

Back

Life, liberty, property (pursuit of happiness) are inalienable rights that every person has and NOT given to them by the government, they simply have them because they were born.

Front

Social Contract

Back

Individuals give up some rights but in return the government will protect their rights.

Front

Popular Sovereignty

Back

People have the power.

Front

Consent of the Governed

Back

Those who are governed give permission to the government. Government by the people and for the people.

Front

Separation of Powers

Back

Each branch of government has a different power.

Front

Three Branches of Government

Back

Executive: Enforces the law (President/Governor). Legislative: Makes the laws (House of Representatives, Senators). Judicial: Determines constitutionality (Courts, Supreme Court).

Front

Checks & Balances

Back

Prevents one branch from becoming too powerful. Examples include the executive branch vetoing laws, the legislative branch overriding vetoes, and the judicial branch determining constitutionality.

Front

Declaration of Independence (Purpose)

Back

Break up letter with Great Britain, convince Colonists and other nations it's the right thing to do, and list the 27 Grievances the Colonists had with Great Britain.

Front

Articles of Confederation (Weaknesses)

Back

Not a strong enough central government, Congress could not pass or levy taxes, could not regulate trade, no national currency, all 13 states had to agree on changes.

Front

Federalist vs Anti-Federalist (Positions)

Back

Federalists wanted a strong central government. Anti-Federalists were concerned with a strong central government and wanted stronger states.