Founding Principles and American Government

The American colonies had their own systems of governance and tradition of representative assemblies. What founding principal is this?

• representation or self-government

• popular sovereignty - means people have supreme power

Which founding principles were and were not shared by English common law?

• Right to fair trial, protected right to trial by jury

• habeas corpus, “to have the body” meaning police have to say they have you in custody

• protection against self-incrimination (pleading the fifth, not testifying against your spouse)

Identify the following: Stamp Act, Mayflower Compact, Sugar Act, Intolerable Acts.

• Stamp Act 1765 British law that imposed a direct tax on any paper documents, such as mail, newspapers, posters

• Mayflower Compact 1619 agreement by the Pilgrims to establish a self-governed colony

• Sugar Act imposed new taxes on imported goods like molasses (brown sugar) and sugar

• Intolerable Acts - 4 laws passed by British to punish Massachusetts for the Boston Tea Party

What was missing from the Articles of Confederation that made it so weak?

• A system of checks and balances among states.
• A detailed plan for state governance.
• A strong central government with the power to tax and regulate trade.
• The ability to declare war without approval.

Which founding US document articulated the natural rights of individuals and the idea that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed?

• The Federalist Papers
• The Bill of Rights
• The Declaration of Independence
• The Constitution

Which event exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

• The Constitutional Convention
• The Boston Tea Party
• Shays' Rebellion
• The signing of the Declaration of Independence

What is the difference between the Federalists and the Anti Federalists?

• Federalists favored a strong central government; Anti-Federalists wanted to limit government power and protect individual rights.
• Federalists were against the Constitution; Anti-Federalists were in favor of it.
• Federalists wanted to abolish the government; Anti-Federalists supported a strong central authority.
• Federalists aimed to protect state rights; Anti-Federalists sought to increase federal power.

Explain the purpose of each of these compromises: The Great Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise, Commerce Compromise.

• The Great Compromise reconciled the rights of large and small states, and proportional representation with two houses in Congress, similar to Greek, Roman, and English divisions

• Three-Fifths Compromise Northern states opposed counting enslaved individuals for representation, but supported counting them for taxation purposes. South wanted no taxes, but representation. Decided each enslaved person would count as 3/5ths.

• Commerce Compromise grants Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the several states, and with Indian tribes.

Why did Montesquieu prescribe separating the powers of government into legislative, judicial, and executive?

• To ensure majority rule.
• To promote economic growth.
• To prevent tyranny and abuse of power.
• To increase government efficiency.

Why did George Washington warn the US about political parties?

• George Washington warned the US about political parties to prevent divisiveness and protect national unity.
• To encourage more voter participation in elections.
• To promote economic growth through competition.
• To strengthen the power of the federal government.