Unit 2 Study Guide
Governments & Power Distribution
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Who holds the power?
- Autocracy: Power is held by a single individual (e.g., dictatorship).
- Oligarchy: Power is held by a small group of people (e.g., wealthy elites, military leaders).
- Democracy: Power is vested in the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
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Types of Government:
- Unitary System: Central government holds supreme power; local governments may have limited authority.
- Federal System: Power is divided between a central government and regional governments (states).
- Confederal System: A union of sovereign states agrees to cooperate for specific purposes, with a weak central authority.
Key Ideas of Limited Government and Rule of Law
| Historical Document | Significance | |----------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Magna Carta | Established the principle of limited government and due process (1215). | | Petition of Right | Limited the king's power and enforced the rule of law (1628). | | English Bill of Rights | Provided civil liberties and outlined clear limits on government power (1689). | | The Declaration of Independence | Justified the colonies’ break from Britain, emphasizing individual rights and the concept of government by consent (1776). |
Philosophical Influences on Government
| Philosopher | Written Work | Significance to Declaration of Independence | |------------------------------|-------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Thomas Hobbes | Leviathan | Advocated for strong centralized authority to avoid chaos and disorder.| | John Locke | Second Treatise on Government | Introduced natural rights (life, liberty, property) and government by consent.| | Jean-Jacques Rousseau | The Social Contract | Proposed that government derives from the will of the people. | | Montesquieu | The Spirit of the Laws | Advocated for separation of powers to prevent tyranny. |
Fundamental Principles of the United States Constitution
| Principle | Meaning | Example | |------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | Limited Government | Government's power is restricted by law. | Constitutional limitations on Congress. | | Rule of Law | All individuals and government must adhere to the law. | Accountability of government officials. | | Federalism | Division of power between national and state governments. | Shared responsibilities (e.g., taxes). | | Separation of Powers | Distinct roles for legislative, executive, and judicial branches. | Congress makes laws, President enforces them. | | Checks and Balances | Each branch can limit the powers of the others. | Presidential veto, judicial review. | | Popular Sovereignty | Government authority derives from the people's consent. | Elections, referendums. |
Ratification Debates: Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
| Key Ideas | Leaders | |-------------------------|-------------------| | Federalists | James Madison, Alexander Hamilton (Advocated for a strong central government and the Constitution). | | Anti-Federalists | Patrick Henry, George Mason (Opposed the Constitution, favoring stronger state governments and the inclusion of a Bill of Rights). |
Debates and Compromises in the Constitution
| Compromise | Meaning/Explanation | |--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------| | Three-Fifths Compromise | Counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and taxation. | | Great Compromise | Established a bicameral legislature (House based on population and Senate with equal representation). | | Commerce Clause | Gave Congress the power to regulate interstate commerce. |
Addressing Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
| Weakness | How did the Constitution address this weakness? | |--------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Lack of Central Authority | Established a stronger national government with executive and legislative branches. | | Inadequate Representation | Created a structured system (bicameral legislature) to ensure fair representation. |
Supremacy Clause and the Constitution as the "Supreme Law of the Land"
- Supremacy Clause: Establishes that the Constitution and federal laws take precedence over state laws.
Structure, Powers, and Limitations of the Three Branches
| Branch | Who or what is a part of this branch? | What powers does this branch have? | |------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Legislative | Congress (House of Representatives & Senate) | Makes laws, controls budget, regulates commerce. | | Executive | President, Vice President, Cabinet | Enforces laws, conducts diplomacy, commands military. | | Judicial | Supreme Court, lower federal courts | Interprets laws, reviews lower court decisions. |
Types of Powers
| Power | Meaning/Explanation | Example | |------------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------| | Enumerated | Powers specifically granted to the federal government. | Power to tax, regulate interstate commerce. | | Implied | Powers not explicitly listed but necessary to execute enumerated powers. | Establishing a national bank. | | Concurrent | Powers shared by both federal and state governments. | Taxation, establishing courts. | | Reserved | Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for states. | Conduct elections, establish local governments. | | Denied | Powers explicitly prohibited to either federal or state governments. | States cannot enter treaties. |
Amending the Constitution
- Amendment Process: Requires approval by two-thirds of both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures.
Constitutional Amendments
| Amendment | Meaning/Explanation | Importance | |-----------|----------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | 1st | Freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. | Foundation of individual liberties. | | 2nd | Right to bear arms. | Concerns about gun rights. | | 3rd | No quartering of soldiers without consent. | Protects privacy of homes. | | 4th | Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures. | Represents the right to privacy. | | 5th | Rights of the accused, due process, double jeopardy. | Ensures fair legal processes. | | 6th | Right to a fair and speedy trial. | Ensures fair judicial procedures. | | 7th | Right to jury trial in civil cases. | Guarantees legal rights in civil suits. | | 8th | Protection against cruel and unusual punishment. | Safeguards human dignity. | | 9th | Rights not enumerated by the Constitution are retained by the people. | Protects unenumerated rights. | | 10th | Powers reserved to the states or the people. | Reinforces principles of federalism. | | 14th | Equal protection under the law and due process. | Guarantees civil rights. | | 15th | Prohibits denying voting based on race. | Expands suffrage. | | 19th | Women's right to vote. | Marks significant social progress. | | 24th | Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections. | Removes barriers to voting. | | 26th | Lowers voting age to 18. | Expands democratic participation. |
Civil Rights vs. Civil Liberties
| Meaning/Explanation | Example | |-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | Civil Liberties | Protections against government actions (e.g., First Amendment rights). | | Civil Rights | Equal protections for all people (e.g., Civil Rights Act, Brown v. Board of Education). |
Study Tips
- Understand the concepts and how they relate to modern governance.
- Review historical documents and key philosophical influences.
- Familiarize yourself with the structure and roles of government branches.
- Analyze case studies of civil rights and civil liberties.
- Practice explaining each topic in your own words for a deeper understanding.