Cram for the Exam: FOUNDATION

Foundation 167 K

From CBS 2 School

Critical to any study of government is to look at its FOUNDATIONS. Familiarize yourself with these words and concepts:

Legitimacy: This is the most fundamental principle when studying government. Legitimate governments, by implication, are those that are properly executed. They are supported and affirmed by correct doctrines and by the people themselves. Before we succumb to any act of government we should ask, “Is this legitimate?” Legitimacy in the American government is primarily rooted in our Constitution.

Articles of Confederation: Our first crack at governing ourselves. Though under the Articles we were able to defeat the British in war, it was inadequate as a governing document. The central government had no chief executive, no courts, no means of supporting itself through taxes, in essence no real power. It begged the question, “How can we have a more powerful central government but not too strong?” The simple answer, “More powerful than this.”

Declaration of Independence: Jefferson’s legal brief that planted the arguments for independence. Fundamentally it claimed for all certain inalienable rights. They are the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Constitution: Our governing document. Written by “the Founding Fathers” in Philadelphia in 1787 the Constitution provided for a limited government divided into three branches. Those three branches are: legislative (power of the purse), executive (power of the sword) and judicial (power to interpret the law).

Popular Sovereignty: The essence of our government. “We the people” rule here. Ultimate legitimacy is found in the people.

Separation of Powers: The foundational principle in our government is that power corrupts. Therefore all power must be diluted and separated in ways that assure no one person or group has the power to oppress another. This is seen most clearly in the three branches of government and in the concept of federalism (division of power between national and state governments).

Federalist Papers: A series of essays written to support the ratification of the new constitution. The most notable essay was Federalist 10. In this essay Madison argued for a republic over a direct democracy. He also stipulated that a large republic would protect against the evils of factions.

Bill of Rights: Those that opposed ratification, the Anti-Federalists, worried that the new government would oppress individual liberties. By way of compromise, the Federalists promised to add a Bill of Rights. These first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution clearly demarcate the limits for our national government. Most importantly the First Amendment protects our right to free speech, free press, free religion (against an establishment of religion and protection of our free exercise of religion), free petition and free assembly.

Fourteenth Amendment: Perhaps the single most significant addition to our original constitution. The Fourteenth Amendment extended guarantees to citizens inside of state governments certain due processes, equal protections and privileges and immunities. The Courts have interpreted these extensions in ways that have dramatically increased the power of the national government.

This is only a beginning. What questions do you have? What questions about our FOUNDATIONS do you need answered?

Remember Thomas Jefferson said, “Every new generation needs a revolution.” How about making your revolution about learning? Let us make this next generation the most learned generation is history. Start now. Start studying. See you in line. We are right behind you.