End of Course Examination Review Session

1. End of Course ExaminationReview Session Part I: American Foundations

2. Types of Government Monarchy – Power vested in hereditary kings and queens who govern in the interests of all (GB, Saudi Arabia Totalitarianism – power resides in a leader who rules in self-interest and without regard for individual rights and liberties(Dictatorship- Hitler, Castro, Hussein, Jung Il) Oligarchy – few people ruling in their own interest- right to participate is conditioned on possession of wealth, military status, military position, or achievement(communist China) Democracy – gives power to people, directly or through reps. (America, Canada, Mexico, Athens) Republics – active citizenship voting (America, France, Italy, Rome) Theocracy – religion and government is religion-Iran, Iraq.

3. Basic Principles of the Constitution Limited Government – A belief that government is not all-powerful/only has powers specifically granted Popular Sovereignty – People are the source of authority Separation of Powers – Three branches of government that are independent AND equal Checks and Balances – Each branch is subject to restraints by the others Federalism – The division of power between national and state governments Judicial Review – The Courts can declare acts of other branches unconstitutional (From Marbury v. Madison). Representative Government – Thepeople select delegates to make laws and conduct government Due Process of Law – Government must follow proper Constitutional procedures in trials and other actions against individuals

4. Changing Roles of Government Changes based on world events, economic situations, growing society, social changes. More limits on Government now because of: Challenges through Supreme Court and Interpretation. Increased awareness of public. Changes with liberal and conservative ideologies and who is in power of the leg, exec, branches and courts. Government changes based on who is in power (philosophy) Liberals - bigger national Government. Conservatives - states’ rights and power. WWII - FDR- more national government to solve problems. Articles of Confederation - states power, states sovereign, Congress had no power. Constitution - strong federal government, 3 branches, power to tax.

5. Influences on American Government Social Contract Theory – People are free and equal (born with natural rights) and in turn that requires people to give their consent to be governed. Thomas Hobbes Leviathan- Humanity’s natural state is at war. Monarchy was necessary to restrain humans- to be protected we must give up rights to government. Government must intrude on people’s rights to control society- small price to pay.

6. John Locke Government’s primary responsibility is to protect property. Second Treatise of Government - Denied the divine right of kings and argued that people are born with natural rights (life, liberty, and property). Believes consent gives the Government the power to rule - if Government, breaks the contract they do not enjoy consent of governed.

7. Jean Rousseau The Social Contract is based on Republicanism The goal of government is to secure freedom, justice, and quality. Baron de Montesquieu Political liberty involved separating the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government

8. Magna Carta (1215): Provides basis for LIMITED GOVERN-MENT. Monarch is not absolute – Placed limits on King John. Protected from unjust punishment. Mayflower Compact (1620): Social Contract. First governing document in colonies. Petition of Rights (1628): Severely limit King’s power. No collecting taxes w/o parliaments consent. No housing troops in homes. No imprisonment without cause. Cannot declare martial law unless at war.

9. English Bill of Rights (1688): Monarchs have no absolute authority. Must have parliaments' consent to tax. Cannot interfere with elections or debate. People have right to petition. No cruel and unusual punishment. Declaration of Independence (1776): Mad at King George III. Listed our grievances. Declared our Independence. Outlined our natural rights of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit of Happiness (Influenced by Locke). Dissolved relationship with Great Britain. Federalist Papers (1787-88): Federalist #51 (Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances). Federalist #10 (Representation and limited government).

10. Weaknesses of the Article of Confederation addressed in Constitution “League of Friendship.” Weak national government. Congress could not tax. No interstate commerce regulation. No separate executive. No national judiciary. Each state had one vote, no matter the size. Unanimous consent to amend. Shays Rebellion was the defining moment of recognition that Articles failed.

11. Plans at the Constitution Convention The New Jersey Plan: Do not replace the articles, rather, just strengthen the articles. Unicameral legislature with representatives chosen by state. Congress has the power to tax imports. Supreme Court members are appointed by the chief executive. Representation equal among states (Favored small states).

12. The Virginia Plan: Create a powerful central government with three branches. Bicameral legislature A lower house chose by people. Upper house chose by state legislatures. Legislature with power to approve executive and judiciary appointments. Representation based on population and taxes (Favored large states). The Three-Fifths Compromise: Each slave counted as 3/5s a person for determining representation in house.

13. The Connecticut Plan (or Great Compromise): Congress would be bicameral (VA PLAN). The lower house was made of members that were popularly elected and was based on state population (VA PLAN). The upper house had equal representation for each state (NJ PLAN). All spending bills had to originate in the lower house. National government is supreme over states.

14. The American Constitution Location of Principles: Articles I through III include separation of powers, and checks and balances. Amendment Ten and Articles IV through VI deal with federalism. Amendment Seventeen and Twenty-Six focus on voting. Amendments Five, Six, Fourteen, and Fifteen deal with due process. Amendment Seventeen and Article I contend with representation. Bill of rights includes limited government, due process, and federalism. Created a federal system. Congress has power to tax and regulate commerce. Establishes bicameralism with a House of Representatives and Senate. Article V established process for initiating amendments two-thirds of Congress or three-fourths of the states.

15. The Articles of Constitution I- Legislative Branch: Congress makes laws. II- Executive Branch: President enforces laws. III- Judicial Branch: Supreme Court interprets laws. IV- Relations among states: Full Faith and Credit. V- Amending the Constitution: ways to propose and ratify amendments. VI- Supremacy Clause: National Government supreme above the states. VII- Ratification: Nine of the Thirteen states must ratify for it to become law.