Principles & Washington Review

Principles & Washington Review

Each section will contain:

1. Review information on the topic

2. A few questions to check understanding of the review information

3. LEAP style questions using sources

Principles of American Government

Principle: An important belief

Most of the principles of American government can be found in the U.S. Constitution

Consent of the governed

• This principle is also called popular sovereignty

• Popular sovereignty means that the people are the source of the government's power

• This idea was expressed in the Declaration of Independence

• This idea is also found in the Preamble to the Constitution when it states "We The People" which means that the people rule in this government

Republicanism

• The idea that the people have a say in government through elected representatives 

• You can remember this because it begins with REP just like a representative

• A Republic is a type of government, also called Representative Democracy. This is the type of government we have in the U.S.

• This term is not the same thing as the political party

Separation of Powers

• The idea of dividing government powers into three branches: Legislative, Executive and Judicial

• The goal of creating three branches with separate powers is to ensure that no member of government can have too much power

Checks and Balances

•  The idea that each branch has certain powers that allow it to limit the power of the other branches of governmento

• This ensures that no branch can become to0 powerful

Federalism

•  The idea that power should be divided into two levels of government: state and federal 

• This principle ensures that neither the federal or state government can become too powerful.

Limited Government

•  The idea that government powers should be limited to only be allowed to do what is stated in Constitution

• Government leaders must follow the law just like citizens

Individual Rights

• The idea that people have rights that should be protected by the government 

• This is represented by the Bill of Rights

• The arguments of the Anti-Federalists helped to get the protection of individual rights into the U.S. Constitution

Theme: limitations on power

There are many ways in which the governments power is limited:

The government is first separated into 2 levels: Federal and State government Within the federal government and state governments there are three branches of government (separation of powers) Those branches have checks and balances on each other

Multiple Choice

The idea that governments power comes from the people

• Consent of the Governed

• Individual Rights

• Federalism

• Limited government

Multiple Choice

The idea that people get a say in government by electing representatives

• Separation of Powers

• Republicanism

• Federalism

• Limited government

Multiple Choice

The principle that government power should be divided into 3 branches

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Limited government

Multiple Choice

The principle that each branch of government should limit the power of the other branches

• Popular Sovereignty

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Limited government

Multiple Choice

The principle that government power should be divided into 2 levels: state and federal

• Federalism

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

• Limited government

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best describes the principles of federalism, separation of powers and checks and balances?

• They all ensure the rights of the people

• They all limit the power of the government

• They all protect the power of the government

• They all create three branches

LEAP Style: Source Review Questions

Multiple Choice

Based on source 1, which statement best explains the U.S Constitutions solution to James Madison’s concern?

• Each branch of government is run by different people and is responsible for different government activities.

• Each branch of government can remove members of other branches for due cause.

• All three branches of government must agree to amend the Constitution.

• Members of some branches of government can appoint members of other branches of government.

Multiple Choice

Why does the U.S. Constitution give different branches of the government checks on one another’s power?

• It ensures that Congress passes only laws that are approved by all members of government.

• It ensures that the president signs only laws that serve the interest of the people.

• It prevents any one branch from gaining more power than the other branches.

• It prevents state government from having more power than the federal government

Multiple Choice

Which power is an example of the U.S. government’s system of checks and balances?

• The Congress had the authority to appoint judges.

• The Supreme Court must approve presidential appointments.

• The President has the authority to appoint members of the cabinet.

• The Supreme Court can declare a law passed by Congress unconstitutional.

Multiple Choice

Based on Source 4, what does Montesquieu believe about the importance of the separation of powers?

• It allows political parties to have different viewpoints.

• It prevents any individual or group from gaining too much power.

• It allows the states to have similar powers as the federal government.

• It forces states to treat citizens as equal to one another

Washington's Presidency

Review Information

Washington's Presidency

• George Washington was the first U.S. President. He was very popular and received 100% of the electoral votes in 1789

• He was the general who helped America gain its independence, the President of the Constitutional Convention and was well-respected

Multiple Choice

Which of the following describes Washington as the first President?

• supported only by his political party: the Federalists

• very popular and well respected by Americans

• A strong ambassador to foreign countries

• Someone people loved or hated

Washington's Precedents

• As the first President, Washington set many precedents for the role of the President

• precedent: example/guide for people in that position in the future

• Most presidents that came after Washington followed his precedent

Washington's Precedents

• Washington made the following precedents:

• The President should have a cabinet to give him/her advice

• The President should be called Mr. President and not take any titles of nobility

• The President should only use the veto power when necessary

Washington's Precedents

• The President should help the country to stay neutral in foreign affairs

• The president should not have a political party

• The President should step down after 2 terms (it wasn't a requirement in the Constitution at this time)

Multiple Select

What were THREE presidential precedents set by George Washington?

• To build strong alliances with foreign countries

• To stay neutral in foreign affairs

• To step down after 2 terms

• To form political parties

• To have a cabinet of advisors

Hamilton's Economic Plan

• Washington appointed Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury. Hamilton's job was to strengthen the U.S. economy. Hamilton's financial plan would strengthen the power of the federal government in order to strengthen the economy

Hamilton's Economic Plan

• Hamilton's Economic Plan included the following:

• Creation of a National Bank to pay off federal and STATE debts too!

• Creation of tariffs (taxes on imported goods)

• Creation of a whiskey tax

Multiple Choice

What was the goal of Hamilton's economic plan?

• To protect state's rights

• To build a better relationship with foreign countries

• To make Washington look good

• To strengthen the U.S. economy

Multiple Choice

Which of the following was NOT a part of Hamilton's economic plan?

• creation of a national bank

• tariffs on imported goods

• paying off federal and state debts

• creating state banks

Whiskey Rebellion

• Farmers in Pennsylvania were upset on the tax on whiskey because it hurt their business

• They rebelled by attacking tax collectors

• George Washington marched a large army into Pennsylvania to put down the rebellion. This showed the strength of the Federal government under the Constitution

Multiple Choice

What caused the whiskey rebellion?

• Farmers in Pennsylvania were upset about a tax that hurt their business

• Farmers in Massachussetts were upset about a ban on alcohol

• Citizens of the U.S. were upset about Washington's leadership

Washington's Farewell Address

• When Washington left office he gave a Farewell Address. The purpose of this speech was to give advice and to help keep the country united as a young nation. Two major ideas stated in the Farewell Address were to:

• stay neutral in European Conflicts

• to not create political factions/ parties

LEAP Style: Source Analysis Questions

Multiple Choice

Using Source 4, which of the following best explains what George Washington meant when he said, “Our true policy is to steer clear of permanent alliances…”?

• avoid international trade

• avoid westward expansion

• avoid slave trade expansion

• avoid European conflicts

Multiple Choice

What did George Washington claim was the cause for conflict and jealousy among Americans?

• the formation of political parties

• the creation of a national bank

• the creation of a cabinet

• the rise of the Democratic party