Constitution Test (1) Flashcards
(24 cards)
Why did the U.S. Constitution starts w/ “We the people…”?
1)It’s a social contract between the leaders & ppl. 2)It’s based on popular sovereignty.
What Enlightenment Thinker is famous for writing about the Social Contract?
Jean Jacques Rousseau
What is a “Social Contract”?
An agreement between the people & their leaders.
What Enlightenment Thinker is famous for writing about Separation of Powers?
Baron de Montesquieu
Why did the founders want “to form a more perfect union”?
Because the AOC had many problems and was not working.
What are the six purposes for establishing the U.S. Constitution?
1) To form a more perfect union, 2) establish justice,
3) insure domestic tranquility, 4)provide for the common defense, 5)promote the general welfare, 6)secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves & our posterity.
What is meant by “establishing justice”?
To have a court system and judges that are fair.
Why did the Founders want to “establish justice”?
Because the AOC had no national courts and it caused problems.
What is meant by “insure domestic tranquility”?
To make sure there is peace inside the country.
Why did the Founders want to “insure domestic tranquility”?
So there would not be riots / rebellions in the country. Like Shay’s Rebellion.
What is popular sovereignty?
Power to the People.
What is meant by “Separation of Powers”?
There are 3 branches of government each w/ different roles.
What are the 3 branches of government?
Legislative Branch
Executive Branch
Judicial Branch
What is the role of the Legislative Branch?
It creates the laws.
What is the role of the Executive Branch?
It enforces the laws.
What is the role of the Judicial Branch?
It interprets the laws.
What power was the Congress given to “provide for the common defense”?
To maintain an army & navy.
What is meant by “promote the general Welfare”?
To make sure the economy is good; that everyone has good working conditions.
What is meant by “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity”?
To make sure everyone for all time will not be put in jail for no reason.
Why did the Founders want to “provide for the Common Defense”?
Under the AOC there was no national army and they were unable to make the British leave the forts in the Ohio Valley as promised.
What are the 4 theories of the origin of the state?
1) Force theory
2) Evolutionary theory
3) Divine right theory
4) Social Contract
Which theory of the origin of the state is the U.S. Constitution based on?
The Social Contract Theory
What is limited government?
A Government that’s not all-powerful.
What are the 6 basic principles of the U.S. Constitution?
1) Popular Sovereignty
2) Limited Government
3) Judicial Review
4) Checks & Balances
5) Federalism
6) Separation of Powers
