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What document was the first governing framework of the United States?
The Articles of Confederation
What Enlightenment thinker argued that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property?
John Locke
According to the social contract, where does government get its power?
From the consent of the governed (the people)
Which founding document says that people have the right to alter or abolish a government that does not protect their rights?
The Declaration of Independence
Name 3 weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
No power to tax, no national judiciary, unanimous consent to amend, no ability to regulate commerce, no ability to raise a national army, no executive branch
What event showed the weaknesses of the Articles and convinced many leaders that changes were needed?
Shays’ Rebellion
Why did many Americans originally support a weak national government under the Articles?
They feared a strong central government like the British monarchy
What constitutional principle divides power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches?
Separation of powers
What constitutional principle allows each branch to limit the powers of the other branches?
Checks and balances
What does limited government mean?
Government is not all-powerful and must obey the law
The Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional. Which constitutional principle does this help maintain?
Checks and balances or limited government
What is federalism?
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments
Powers specifically given to the national government are called what?
Enumerated powers
Powers shared by both the national and state governments are called what?
Concurrent powers
Powers kept by the states are called what?
Reserved powers
If both a state and the national government pass laws on the same issue and they conflict, which law wins?
The national law, because of the Supremacy Clause
