We the People Lesson 1

Transcription

1 We the People Lesson 1 1. What is the purpose of government according to the natural rights philosophers? The main purpose of government should be to protect people s natural rights. 2. Where does government gets its right to govern, according to the natural rights philosophers? From the people, who create the government to protect their natural rights and consent to follow the laws made by the government. 3. What is a social compact? *Do you think this is the best way to create a government? Why or why not? It is an agreement people make among themselves to create a government to rule them and protect their natural rights. The people consent to obey the laws created by government. *answers vary Lesson 2 1. What is a republican government? *citizens have the power to govern * the citizens give power to leaders they elect to represent them and serve their interests *the representatives are responsible for promoting the common welfare (the good of the entire community) 2. Why did Montesquieu believe that the powers of republican government should be separated among different branches or groups in the government? *he believed that it would be the only way to make sure the government served the common welfare (prevent the abuse of power) No one branch should have all of the power.

2 3. What was the purpose of balancing the powers among different groups in the government? Why should each group be given ways to check the power of the other groups? Powers needed to be balanced so that no one branch would have so much power it could control the others. Branches should also be given the means to prevent one branch from taking control of the others and from using power for their own selfish needs. 4. Why was Cincinnatus considered a model of civic virtue? He valued being a citizen of Rome more than he valued fame and personal power Lesson 3 1. What is a constitution? What can you learn about a nation s government by studying its constitution? A constitution is a framework for a government. By studying a nation s government, you can learn its purpose, how it is organized, how it goes about doing its business, how people are picked to serve in the government. 2. Explain the differences between constitutional governments and autocratic or dictatorial governments. Constitutional governments have limits on their powers, while an autocratic or dictatorial government does not have limits on their power, either because they aren t given limits in the constitution (if there is one), or there are limits, but they are ignored. 3. What are the characteristics of the higher law of a constitutional government? In a constitutional government, the constitution must effectively limit the power of the government the constitution must be considered the higher law that

3 must be obeyed by the people running the government. The 5 characteristics of the higher law are: *it lists the basic rights of the citizens (natural rights) * it established the responsibility of the government to protect those rights * it places limits on how the people in government can use their power *it establishes the principle of private domain * it can only be changed with the widespread consent of the citizens 4. Describe two areas of citizens lives with which you think the government should not interfere. Explain why you think the government should not intrude in these areas. What term describes these areas? *answers vary (examples could include: religion, family life, friends, communications, job, etc.) This is called private domain Lesson 4 1. What branches do many modern governments have? What are the functions of each branch? *legislative branch = makes laws * executive branch = carries out or enforces the laws * judicial branch = interprets the law/settles disputes about the law 2. Why are powers divided among separate groups? Power is divided among separate groups so that one group cannot get enough power to dominate the government 3. In constitutional governments, one branch is often checked by the other branches. Why? Give examples of some checks. Branches are given the ability to check the power of the other branches so that one branch does not become dominate and abuse its powers. Ex: House of Reps and Senate can refuse to pass bills the other house proposes; President can veto bill; Congress can override veto: Supreme Court can declare a law unconstitutional; etc.

4 4. The separation and sharing of powers means that decisions are not made quickly. Explain at least one way this could be an advantage. Then explain at least one way that this could be a disadvantage. Advantage = when a decision is finally made, it has been thought out and will likely be a good one Disadvantage = people may be suffering while they are making the decision Lesson 5 1. How and why did feudal kings in England share their power? King own entire kingdom, which was too much land for the king to rule (control) alone, so he gave responsibility of governing parts of the kingdom to his barons (noblemen), who in exchange pledged loyalty and would fight for him if necessary. 2. What were some of the basic ideas included in the Magna Carta? *governments are based on an agreement or contract between the ruler and the people to be ruled and both sides responsible for fulfilling terms * rule of law = the government also had to obey the law 3. Parliament won a struggle with the king in 1689, when the English Bill of Rights was adopted. Which parts of the English Bill of Rights do you think the Framers might have included in our Constitution? Explain your answers. Answers vary: examples=free elections, keep and carry weapons, free speech and debate, king may not require excessive bail or administer cruel punishments, declare laws made should not be obeyed, the written guarantee of rights,

5 4. Four ideas that were very important to the Framers were limited government, representative government, the balance of power and the separation of power. Give examples of these ideas from English government. Limited government = the Magna Carta (limiting the power of the monarchy) Representative government = Parliament (House of Lords represented nobles, House of Commons represented large land owners who were not of the nobility) Balance of power = creating Parliament balanced power between Nobles and Monarchy Separation of power = the establishment of Parliament and its two houses