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28 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Autocracy |
One ruler holds all political power (like a dictatorship) |
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Oligarchy |
Small group, such as noblemen or the military, hold power |
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Direct democracy |
Citizens directly debated and decided issues |
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Representative democracy |
Citizens elect a representative to vote on their behalf |
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Monarchy |
One person holds all hereditary power (passed down by father);
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Socialism |
Socialists believe that the government needs to improve conditions for citizens; they establish "welfare states" in which the government takes over some industries and increases taxes in order to provide more services |
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Communism |
Communists believe that a violent social revolution is necessary, workers overthrow the rich and abolish private property. Everything would be owned in common. |
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Parliamentary Government |
Elected legislative branch (parliament) controls the executive branch. Parliament elects a prime minister from it's own majority party. The prime minister and the cabinet are all members of parliament. |
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Presidential Government |
The Legislative and Executive branches are separate and voted on for fixed terms. |
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Confederal Government |
Independent states or nations form an association to cooperate. The majority of power lays with the separate states that can leave at any time. |
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Federal Government |
The central and local governments have independent powers and cannot abolish each other. States often form a federation but are unable to leave without the other states permission. |
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Unitary Government |
The central government holds all of the power in a unitary state. The central government gives some powers to local governments but cannot abolish the local governments at any time. |
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Why and When was English Bill of Rights passed? |
* Several kings in England attempted absolute rule on their subjects * Parliament rebelled and executed * British monarchy restored, but King James II tried to increase its power, but was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution * Parliament passed English Bill of Rights in 1689 |
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English Bill of Rights stated: |
1. Members of parliament would enjoy freedom of speech 2. No armies would be raised in peace time 3. No taxes would be imposed without the approval of parliament 4. Citizens could petition the government 5. No excessive bail or cruel and unusual punishments would be imposed |
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Thomas Paine's Common Sense |
* American colonists came into conflict with British government * Fighting broke out *Thomas Paine published Common Sense in 1776 * Paine argued it made no sense for colonists to be governed by a distant island; they should seek independence |
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Magna Carta 1215 |
* Forced on King John by his nobles * King John promised not to impose new taxes or loans without the consent of a committee of nobles * King John promised no free man would be imprisoned or lose his property or be punished except after trial by jury * Limited king's power; later became basis for formation of parliament and right to trial by jury |
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Mayflower Compact 1620 |
* Pilgrims sailed to N. America to start own colony to worship God in their own ways * Landed at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts * Before leaving boat, agreed to form own community and obey its laws |
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John Locke, Natural Rights |
* Life, liberty and property * Thomas Jefferson changed it to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness |
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Enlightenment Period |
* Movement of ideas in Europe and America in late 17th and 18th centuries * Enlightenment thinkers were influenced by successes of scientists, such as Newton who discovered Law of Gravity * Enlightenment thinkers attacked superstition in the Catholic Church, hereditary privileges, and divine right of Kings |
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John Locke's Social Contract |
* People joined together under social contract to form community to protect themselves * Community gives power to a ruler who promises to obey natural rights * If King breaks promise to respect natural rights, citizens have right to rebel |
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Ideas and Complaints of Declaration |
* Announced American independence, presented new theory on government, listed grievances, justified their conduct, and established US as a new nation, able to make alliances and treaties * Explained that people had certain unalienable rights (life, liberty and pursuit of happiness); Governments formed to protect these rights * People had right to overthrow any government that did not protect their natural rights * Claimed Britain's government had become tyrannical and iincluded list of grievances |
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Colonial Grievances |
* King imposed taxes without their consent * Quartered troops in their houses * cut off trade * denied them trial by jury * suspended legislatures * sent troops to burn down their towns and destroy lives |
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The Declaration Of Independence |
* Colonists began to agree with Thomas Paine's Common Sense * Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution in the second continental congress, proposing independence. * John Adams persuaded many members of the continental congress to vote for independence. * A special committee wrote The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was the main author. * Second Continental Congress approved on July 4, 1776 |
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Causes of American Revolution |
* Britain went to war with France (French and Indian War); French lost N. American colonies, but cost of war put British in debt * British impose taxes on American colonists * First attempt, Stamp Act, tax on every official document; colonists argued because they did not have reps in British Parliament, they did not agree to this tax * Marches, rallies, petitions, boycotts, and tar & feathering of officials led Parliament to repeal the Stamp Act * Then passed Townshend Duties on various imports (paper and glass); British troops sent to control protesting and were quartered in colonist's homes * Due to Colonial unrest, Parliament also repealed Townshend Duties; however, passed tax on tea * Boston Tea Party - colonists protested tea duty * Parliament passed intolerable acts to punish Boston; closed Boston harbor and suspended Massachusetts legislature |
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Outbreak of the Revolution |
* 12 colonies sent representatives to a continental congress to coordinate responses to British actions * American patriots and British troops fire at each other at Lexington and Concord, starting the American Revolution *2nd continental congress met and formed the continental army commanded by George Washington *Initially, most American colonists did not want independence. Continental Congress declared its resistance to taxes, but its loyalty to Britain. King George 3rd ignored and declared the Americans to be in open rebellion. * Some early battles disastrous - George Washington forced to retreat. |
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Articles of Confederation Strengths and Weaknesses |
After Independence was declared, the second continental congress drafted the articles of confederation. It established a league of friendship between the 13 states. After british rule, they did not want to create a strong government so they created a weak one. this consisted of a congress. Most power remained with the states which remained sovereign. |
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Provisions of the articles |
1. The new confederation was The U.S 2. Each state was to remain generally sovereign. 3. The congress was to meet once a year. they had to send between 2-7 delegates. Each state delegation had 1 vote 4. Congress was given the power to declare war, exchange ambassadors, enter into treaties, set weights and measurements, resolve disputes, establish post offices, regulate relations. 5. Congress could borrow money and build and equip a navy. 6. Congress had the power to direct its own army. 7. All expenses were paid from a general fund. |
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Main Weaknesses of National Government Under Articles of Confederation |
*Congress had no power to: Tax Raise its own troops Regulate trade Enforce Laws *No National Court System and no National Executive to provide central leadership |
