Influences on New American Government

What was the most significant influence of the Magna Carta on the development of American government?

• It established the rights of common people as well as landed nobles.

• It gave rise to the idea that a government’s power was not absolute.

• It created a permanent system of representative government.

• It affirmed that all people possess certain “natural rights.”

Which European political thinker believed that property rights and other basic rights such as freedom of speech and religion came from people living together in a community?

• Charles-Louis de Monteqieu

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

A key features of colonial governments was…

• A written plan of governance

• Religious tolerance

• Protection of minority rights

• Universal suffrage

Colonists valued limited government because they …

• Believed monarchs should have absolute power over their people.

• Did not accept the concept of a representative government.

• Thought people should be protected from punishment by an unjust government.

• Thought that order could be maintained without a government.

What document stated that monarchs could not interfere with parliamentary

elections?

• The English Bill of Rights

• The Magna Carta

• The New Testament

• The Old Testament

Which of John Locke‘s beliefs had a major influence on the colonists?

• All people have certain “natural” or inalienable rights such as the right to liberty.

• Monarchs are appointed by God and should have supreme power.

• People need government to maintain order and prevent conflict.

• The power of government must be separated.

When the Declaration of Independence states it is drawing on “the Laws of Nature and Nature’s God,” it is expressing an idea primarily originated with…

• George Washington

• John Locke

• Richard Henry Lee

• Samuel Adams

The Declaration of Independence states that governments…

• Can establish standing armies without the consent of the legislatures.

• Derive their powers from the consent of the governed.

• Do not have the right to tax those they govern.

• Have divine rights that set them above the people they govern.

What fundamental political principle states that our government is NOT all powerful?

• Democracy

• Rule of law

• Consent of the governed

• Representative government

• Limited government

Match the following Enlightenment thinker with their contribution to the US Constitution

• John Locke

• the social contract

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• freedom of speech

• Charles-Louis de Montesquieu

• "natural rights"

• Thomas Hobbes

• separate powers of government