U.S History Final Exam Flashcards
(141 cards)
- An Intellectual movement that spread from Europe to the Americas.
- Influenced the thinking of leaders of the American Revolution
Enlightenment
An English philosopher expressed that people are born with “natural” rights. These rights include the right to life, liberty, and property.
John Locke
a French writer and philosopher who argued for separation of powers within the government. In his view, each branch of government should serve as a check on the other branches’ power
Baron de Montesquieu
another French Philosopher, believed in the natural goodness of people and in individual freedom. He argued that government should be formed and guided by the “general will” of the people
Jean Jacques Rousseau
an Italian philosopher, promoted new ideas about the justice system. He argued that people accused of crimes had certain rights, and he advocated abolishing torture. Hi ideas were based on the belief that government should seek the greatest good for the greatest number of people
Cesare Bonesana Beccaria
What were the effects of the Enlightenment?
- Use observation to make new discoveries, rely on reason, and question traditional authority
- Led many American colonists to challenge the authority of the British monarchy
- When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence, he drew on the ideas of John Locke. The Declaration of Independence states that all men have the right to liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- Many ideas in the Constitution are based on the ideas of Enlightenment thinkers
Which statement is a core belief of Enlightenment thinkers?
A. Only society creates what is good and reasonable
B. Truth can be discovered through faith alone
C. Society and humankind can progress and improve
D. Only rich people can find happiness in this life
C. Society and humankind can progress and improve
Enlightenment ideas encouraged people to:
A. affirm their loyalty to the church
B. recognize the natural rights of the government
C. question traditional authority
D. give up their natural rights for the social goods
C. question traditional authority
Which philosopher most influenced Jefferson’s writing in the Declaration of Independence?
A. Beccaria
B. Locke
C. Rousseau
D. Montesquieu
B. Locke
Montesquieu’s ideas led to
A. Three branches in the federal government
B. the Bill of RIghts
C. direct election of the president
D. trial by jury
A. Three branches in the federal government
According to Locke, people have the right to rebel against or abolish the government when it
A. relies only on reason
B. does not protect people’s “natural” rights
C. is a monarchy
D. does not have seperation of powers
B. does not protect people’s “natural” rights
The ideas of the Enlightenment encouraged people of the new United States to
A. be loyal to the new government
B. form a government based on law and reason
C rely on traditional forms of government
D. recognize the rights of the British government
B. form a government based on law and reason
What was the ideas Behind the American Revolution?
In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson drew on the writing of John Locke.
- He claimed that if the government became tyrannical people should resist it.
Although Locke’s ideas were for people to be born with rights of life, liberty, and property, what was another idea that he claimed?
Government has power by the consent of the people. People have the right to change or abolish a government that does not protect their natural rights.
What were two ideas in the Declaration of Independence?
- American Colonies had unalienable rights that the King could not take away. These rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
- People have the right to “alter or abolish” a government that threatens their unalienable rights
What was the resolution to the key issue of “North versus South”?
The Three-Fifths Compromise allowed for three-fifths of a state’s slaves to be counted as population.
What was the resolution to the key issue of “Division of Powers”
The Constitution gives delegated powers, such as:
- control of foreign affairs
- to the federal government.
The states are given reserved powers, such as supervising education.
What was the resolution to the key issue of “Seperation of Powers”
The Constitution created three branches of government – executive, legislative, and judicial. Each branch limits the power of the others in a system of checks and balances
How did the Bill of Rights work?
At least 9 states needed to ratify, or approve, the Constitution. Opponents, called Antifederalists, argued that the Constitution lacked the protection of individual rights. Supporters, called Federalists, said that the Constitution gave only limited powers to the national government.
What was the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Its the summary of citizens’ rights and freedoms.
The Declaration of Independence states that all people have unalienable rights, which are rights?
A. given by the consent of the people
B. to be free of taation
C. that the government cannot take away.
D. that Congress can grant
C. that the government cannot take away.
An unalienable right listed in the Declaration of Independence is
A. Private property
B. the right to bear arms
C. Freedom of Speech
D. the pursuit of happiness
D. the pursuit of happiness
How does the Constitution limit the power of the federal government?
A. by refusing to have a single executive leader
B. by ensuring that both large and small states are fairly represented
C. by giving the states the power to control foreign affairs
D. by checks and balances among the three branches of government
D. by checks and balances among the three branches of government
Which statement is a reason the Antifederalists opposed the Constitution?
A. They wanted the federal government to have more power
B. They thought the Constitution did not protect individual rights
C. They wanted large states to have more representatives in Congress
D. They were against a system of checks and balances.
B. They thought the Constitution did not protect individual rights