Unit 1: Foundations of American Government Summary

Sort each description into the correct form of government's category.

Groups:

(a) Autocracy

,

(b) Oligarchy

,

(c) Democracy

• power derived from wealth, military power, social position, or religion

• rule by a small group

• power and authority to rule in the hands of a single individual

• free elections with competing political parties

• totalitarian dictatorship

• individual liberty

• the governments of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Joseph Stalin

Which of the following was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• It lacked the power to tax and regulate trade

• It gave the president too much power

• It did not allow Congress to declare war

• It required states to have monarchs

John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government most strongly influenced which idea in American government?

• The need for a king to enforce order

• Natural rights of life, liberty, and property

• Separation of church and state

• Trial by jury of one’s peers

The English Bill of Rights (1689) established which important principle?

• Slavery was abolished in England

• Judges must be elected by citizens

• Colonies had the right to declare independence

• Kings must follow the law and cannot rule without Parliament

Which of the following documents was the first to limit the power of the English king by giving nobles certain rights?

• Petition of Right

• English Bill of Rights

• Magna Carta

• Two Treatises of Government

The Declaration of Independence states that governments get their power from:

• The monarch

• Parliament

• The people

• The military

The Petition of Right (1628) challenged the king’s power by claiming that:

• Taxes could not be raised without Parliament’s approval

• Colonists had the right to vote in English elections

• Kings could suspend laws without Parliament

• Citizens must serve in the military when ordered

Under the Articles of Confederation, how many branches of government existed?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Which Enlightenment idea influenced both the Two Treatises of Government and the Declaration of Independence?

• Governments are formed by social contract

• Kings are chosen by divine right

• Citizens must obey without question

• All citizens should vote in every election

SOCIAL CONTRACT: The (a)   give ​ (b)   to the ​ (c)   in exchange for ​ (d)   of rights.

• people
• government
• power
• protection