America's First Government Civics Test

Beliefs of Thomas Hobbes

Introduced the idea of a social contract Believed that without someone in charge and with no rules there would be chaos Felt that humans were inherently bad Wrote 'Leviathan'

John Hancock

Patriot leader and president of the Second Continental Congress; first person to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Purpose of Mayflower Compact

to put in writing a set of laws to govern the colonies, to establish Christian heritage, show colonies acted as one unit.

Magna Carta

(1215) also known as "The Great Charter" (freedoms) that King John "Lackland" of England was forced to sign; it made the king obey the same laws as the citizens of his kingdom. Which was called 'Rule of Law'

French and Indian War

(1754-1763) Was a war fought by French and English on American soil over control of the Ohio River Valley-- English defeated French in 1763. Historical Significance: established England as number one world power and began to gradually change attitudes of the colonists toward England for the worse.

List and explain 5 sections of Declaration of Independence

1. The Introduction. This is the opening paragraph; a single sentence beginning with "We the People..." It is sometime erroneously referred to as the Preamble, probably because the opening paragraph of the US Constitution is referred to as the Preamble to the Constitution. 2. The Preamble. The second paragraph, which begins with "We hold theses truths to be self-evident. The Preamble sets the logic al argument that people have rights, that people form governments to secure those rights and when a government becomes destructive of those rights, the people have a right and a duty to throw off that government. 3. The Indictment of King George III. The list of wrongs the King has done to show the ways in which the King has abused the rights of the colonists. 4. The Denunciation of the British people. A statement announcing not only the separation of colonial government from British government, but colonial people from British people. 5. Conclusion. The Declaration of Independence from the King and his British peoples is the only logical conclusion to be taken from the above.

Mayflower Compact

1620 - The first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony.

Thomas Jefferson

1743-1826 Jefferson was the 3rd president of the US, principle author of the Declaration of Independence and an influential founding father of the US "all men are created equal"

Stamp Act

1765, Act meant to help pay for the British army in America. It placed a tax on all legal documents, newspapers, etc, and unintentionally brought a temporary halt to commerce. It inspired large spread resistance (including the stamp act congress, burning of tax collectors, buildings, etc.). It was eventually repealed and replaced with the Declaratory Act.

George Washington

1st President of the United States; commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution (1732-1799)

Two Treatises of Government by John Locke

A book written by John Locke which stated details about natural rights and that people were born with and entitled to life, liberty, and property.

Greek influence on government

Ancient Greeks introduced us to Democracy

Roman influence on government

Ancient Romans introduced representative government

Beliefs of Baron de Montesquieu

Famous for writing "Spirits of Laws". He argued that governments should be organized in such a way that prevents any group or groups from dominating or being oppressed. Also came up with the idea of checks and balances and three branches of government.

Weaknesses of the articles of confederation

One vote for each State, regardless of size. Congress powerless to lay and collect taxes or duties. Congress powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. No executive to enforce acts of Congress. No national court system. Amendment only with consent of all States. A 9/13 majority required to pass laws. Articles only a "firm league of friendship."

English Bill of Rights

Reaffirmed principle of individual rights established in Magna Carta. signed by William and Mary in exchange for crown; 6 Parts: 1) No standing army in peace time, 2) No arbitrary suspension of law without Parliament, 3) No levying taxes without Parliament's approval, 4) No cruel/unusual punishment, 5) Right of all subjects to petition government, 6) Right to fair/speedy trial

4 Purposes of Government

SPEN: -maintain Social Order -provide Public Services -make Economic Decisions -provide National Security

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is defined as the formal statement written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the freedom of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain. An example of the Declaration of Independence was the document adopted at the Second Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776.

Purpose of the Petition of Rights

The document prohibited arbitrary arrests and the quartering of troops om private homes without owners consent. Was written after King Charles ignored the Magna Carta

Battles at Lexington and Concord

The first battles of the American Revolution. On 19 April 1775, a British armed force of about 700 men marched from Boston to destroy American military weapons at the town of Concord, Massachusetts.

Beliefs of Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Wrote a book called "The Social Contract" . Felt there needed to be a relationship between the people and the government. "Men are born free, but everywhere in chains" - society makes you cynical Believed that Human beings are naturally good & free & can rely on their instincts. Government should exist to protect common good, and be a democracy

Define Confederation

an organization that consists of a number of parties or groups united in an alliance or league.

Beliefs of John Locke

did not support the idea of absolute power in one person's hands, believed that people had "natural rights" such as life, liberty and property and that people established governments to protect those rights and felt that man could make appropriate decisions for themselves

Virginia House of Burgesses

established in 1619 by Jamestown. Was Americas first elected assembly.