FLASHBACK QUESTION #1

1.Each of the following is a way to classify government EXCEPTA. Who can participateB. How much money the government hasC. Geographic Distribution of PowerD. Relationship between legislative and executive branches

2. In a democracy, sovereignty lies with __________ and the government is responsible to _________.

A. President, people

B. Dictator, no one

C. People, the will of the people

D. Congress, voters

3. A ___________ government is one in which the powers of the government are divided between a central government and several local governments.

A. FederalB. UnitaryC. ConfederateD. Presidential

FLASHBACK QUESTION #2

1.Each of the following is a way to classify government EXCEPT

A.Who can participate

B.How much money the government has

C.Geographic Distribution of Power

D.Relationship between legislative and executive branches

FLASHBACK QUESTION #2

2. In a democracy, sovereignty lies with __________ and the government is responsible to _________.

A.President, people

B.Dictator, no one

C.People, the will of the people

D.Congress, voters

FLASHBACK QUESTION #3

3. A ___________ government is one in which the powers of the government are divided between a central government and several local governments.

A.Federal

B.Unitary

C.Confederate

D.Presidential

ORIGINS OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

08/27

MAJOR POLITICAL THEORIES

Using your information identify and describe the 4 competing theories of government.

You should compare and contrast each theory using a Venn Diagram

Which Theory did the United States base its government off of?

THE FORCE THEORY

state born of force.

One person or small group claimed control over an area, forced all within it to follow that person’s or group’s rule.

When rule was established, all basic elements of the state were present.

• Population• Territory• Sovereignty• Government

THE EVOLUTIONARY THEORY

state developed naturally out of the early family.

The primitive family, of which one person was the head (government), was the first stage in political development.

Over years, the original family became a network of related families, a clan; in time, the clan became a tribe.

When the tribe turned to agriculture and gave up nomadic ways, the state was born.

THE DIVINE RIGHT THEORY

Widely accepted in much of the Western world from the 15th -18th centuries.

God created the state; God had given those of royal birth the divine right to rule.

The people were bound to obey their ruler as they would God.

Opposition to “the divine right of kings” was both treason and mortal sin.

THE SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORYIn earliest history (Hobbes), humans lived in unbridled freedom , “a state of nature,” in which no government existed and no person had any superior power.

That which people could take by force belonged to them.

Humans overcame this unpleasant condition (Hobbes) by agreeing with one another to create a state

By contract, people within a given area agreed to give up to the state as much power as was needed to promote the safety and well being of all.

THE SOCIAL CONTRACT THEORY

In the contract, the members of the state created a government to exercise the powers they had voluntarily given to the state.

The Social Contract Theory argues that the state arose of out a voluntary act of free people.

The state exists only to serve the will of the people; the people are free to give or to withhold that power as they choose.

• Thomas Hobbes, James Harrington, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau

AMERICA’S POLITICAL BEGINNINGS

Where did the early colonists get their ideas for government?

Basic Concepts of Government from Great Britain:

-Ordered Government-

Orderly regulation of relationships/need for government

-Limited Government-

Government is restricted, people have basic rights

-Representative Govt.-

Government representative of the people

LANDMARK ENGLISH DOCUMENTS You will be responsible for researching these 3

landmark English documents that the colonists used to help shape their idea of government.

1 -Magna Carta (pg 31) 2-Petition of Right (pg 31) 3-English Bill of Rights (pg 31)You must identify the following about your specific

document -Who (wrote/created it) -What (does it say/do) -When (was it written) -Where (was it written) -Why (was it written/purpose?)

THE ENGLISH COLONIES

Royal Colonies (8) Proprietary Colonies (3)

Charter Colonies (2)

Subject to direct control of the Crown

Royal Governor-Very Strict

Bicameral Legislature

Organized by a proprietor -King gave proprietor land

Appointed Governor

Unicameral and Bicameral Legislature

Self Governing-did not need Crown’s approval

Elected Governor

Bicameral Legislature

COLONIAL CASE STUDIES•In groups of 4, you will receive one of three case studies.

•Read your prompt and write your response based upon which type of colony you are.

•Remember you must defend your decision by making reference to the

-Principles of English Government

-Landmark English Documents

-The type of colony you live in

EXIT CARD

Describe the 3 concepts of government the colonists borrowed from Great Britain. Next, explain which landmark English document you feel had the greatest impact on colonial government? Explain.