1. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Unit Essential Question:
How did different concepts and ideas influence the development of our government?

2. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Matching
Match the following documents with their key ideas:
Magna Carta A. self-government
English Bill of Rights B. American independence
Mayflower Compact C. limited government
Common Sense D. rights for commoners
Magna Carta C. limited government
English Bill of Rights D. rights for commoners
Mayflower Compact A. self-government
Common Sense B. American independence

3. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Systems of Government
Parliamentary- Power to make and carry out laws is held by a parliament
Parliament- makes and enforces laws
Federal
State
Federal- power is shared between different levels of government (federal, state, and local)
Federal
State
Confederal- Strong states and a weak central government
Federal
Unitary- powers are held
by a central government ONLY.

4. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Foreign Influences
The Enlightenment was a cultural movement that swept across Europe and the American colonies. It was based on reason and logic, and not only contributed greatly to the field of scientific thought but also ideas about politics and government. Two of the great thinkers that came from this time period were:
John Locke- English philosopher. His great ideas were
Natural rights/natural law- believed that all humans are born with certain natural rights that cannot be taken away. For example, life. Natural law is the law that protects these rights. For example, don’t murder. This idea influenced Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence- “they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
Social Contract- the idea that the people willingly submit to the authority of the government. In return, the government must serve the people. If the government doesn’t do this, the people do not have to obey them. This also influenced Thomas Jefferson when he wrote the Declaration of Independence- “when any government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it”

5. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Foreign Influences Continued
Baron de Montesquieu- French philosopher. His great idea was
Separation of powers- the idea that all power should NOT be given to one person or group- like a King, Parliament, etc. Instead, different powers of government should be separated and given to different groups. For example, one person or group makes the laws, another person or group carries out the laws, and another person or group interprets the laws. This prevents any single person or group from becoming too powerful.
Where do we see this idea used?
That’s right! When James Madison wrote the Constitution!

6. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Important Documents
Magna Carta- document written in England in It limited the power of the monarch (king/queen) by giving rights to English nobles.
English Bill of Rights- document written in England in It expanded certain rights to ALL Englishmen.
Mayflower Compact- document written by the Pilgrims when they landed in Massachusetts. Established self-government for their community.
Common Sense- pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that gave the reasons why the American colonies should declare their independence from Great Britain.

7. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Review Time
Get a card from your teacher and find your match! Remember, there’s someone out there for everyone!
1. Parliamentary- power to make and enforce laws is carried out by a Parliament.
2. Federal- power is shared between different levels of government
3. Confederal- strong states and a weak central government
4. Unitary- powers are held by a central government only
5. Natural Rights- the idea that all humans are born with certain rights that cannot be taken away
6. Social Contract- the people obey the government and the government protects the people
7. Separation of powers-powers are given to different groups
8. Magna Carta- document that limited the power of the monarch
9. English Bill of Rights- document that gave rights to all Englishmen
10. Mayflower Compact- document that established self-government
11. Common Sense- pamphlet that gave reasons why the American colonies should break away from Great Britain
© 2016 All Things Social Studies • by Erin Lewis

8. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Colonial Period
1763
Proclamation of 1763
1765
Stamp Act
1766
Declaratory Act
1767
Townshend Acts
1773
Tea Act
1774
Coercive Acts (Intolerable Acts)
First Continental Congress meets
1776
Signing of the Declaration of Independence
1773
Boston Tea Party

9. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Declaration of Independence
Written by Thomas Jefferson • Signed by 56 important Americans
States that the American colonies owe the audience (the world) an explanation for why they are breaking their bond with Great Britain.
Opening
We hold these truths to be self- evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. If any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it.”
Ideals
He has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good (He won’t let us make our own laws, even good ones)
He has kept among us, in times of peace, standing armies without the consent of our legislatures (He keeps his soldiers hanging around all the time)
18 in all
Grievances
(List of Complaints)
We, therefore, the representatives of the United States of America… do solemnly publish and declare that these united colonies are free and independent states; they are absolved from the allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain, is totally dissolved
Statement of Independence

10. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Declaration of Independence
Video
Too Late To Apologize- A Declaration

11. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Review Questions
After the Declaration was signed, America was officially a country.
Q What’s the first thing a new country needs to do?
A They must establish a government! The best way to do this is by writing a constitution- a document that lays the foundation of government.
Q What was the name of this FIRST constitution?
A The Articles of Confederation
Q Why did they call it the Articles of Confederation? (Hint: CONFEDERation)
A Because it created a CONFEDERAL form of government Strong state power with a weak central government.
Q Why don’t we still have the Articles of Confederation today?
A Because it didn’t work!

12. Foundations of Government Difference in Constitution
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Articles of Confederation
What were some of the weaknesses of the Articles on Confederation and how did these weaknesses lead to the writing of the Constitution?
Weakness
Difference in Constitution
Congress was unable to collect taxes. There was no money to raise and maintain an army to protect the nation.
Gave Congress the power to levy (charge) taxes
No executive branch to enforce laws passed by Congress
Created an executive branch headed by a President
No judicial system to interpret laws or settle disputes between states
Created a federal court system with a Supreme Court at the top
Extremely difficult to make changes- required the unanimous approval of all 13 states
Amendment process that requires ¾ of the states to agree, but not all
Confederal form of government- States were able to overpower the federal government
Federal form of government- central (federal) government has more power than the states

13. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists
Not everyone was happy with the new Constitution. Those in favor were called Federalists. Those opposed were called Anti-Federalists.
Federalist Viewpoint
Issue
Anti- Federalist Viewpoint
Wanted a strong federal government
Size of federal government
Wanted a weak central government
Thought executive power should be given to a person or group
Thought an executive branch would abuse their power
Executive power
Thought a list of individual rights was not needed
List of Rights for Citizens
Wanted a Bill of Rights added to protect the rights of individuals

14. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Practice Questions
Where is power concentrated in a unitary system of government?
A. central government
B. state government
C. individual states
D. military
How is a federal system similar to a confederal system?
A. in both systems, the federal government has all the power
B. in both systems, a monarch holds power
C. in both systems, there is only one level of government
D. in both systems, the states have power
What was John Locke’s theory of natural rights?
A. that it is natural for the government to give people their rights
B. that people have a right to choose their own leaders
C. that there is an agreement between people in a society and the government
D. that all people have certain rights that cannot be taken away

15. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Practice Questions Continued
Which Founding Father was most influenced by the idea of natural rights?
A. Benjamin Franklin
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. John Hancock
D. James Madison
John Locke believed that governments should
A. become republics.
B. cease to exist.
C. serve the people.
D. strengthen the monarchy.
Which of the following was a long-term result of the Founding Fathers being influenced by John Locke?
A. a president at the head of the executive branch
B. A federal government separated into 3 branches
C. the inclusion of a Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution
D. becoming allies with other countries

16. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Practice Questions Continued
The statements below are from the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights.
That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man hath a right to demand evidence in his favor, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury . . .
That the legislative, executive, and judiciary department shall be separate and distinct
That the freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained . . .
That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state . . .
Which statement reflects the Enlightenment ideas of government as expressed by Montesquieu?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 4

17. Foundations of Government
UNIT 1
Foundations of Government
Practice Questions Continued
How did the people of England benefit from the signing of the Magna Carta?
A. it ended the power of the monarchy
B. it established a democracy
C. it granted some of them rights
D. it gave them land
What effect did the signing of the English Bill of Rights have on the American colonies?
A. it displayed the weaknesses of a republic form of government.
B. it extended rights to them as English citizens.
C. it angered the colonists against Parliament.
D. it demonstrated the principle of separation of powers.
The diagram below shows how the colonists formed some of their political views from historical documents.
Which phrase completes the diagram?
A. Separation of powers
B. Economic freedom
C. Self-government
D. Individual rights
Limited
Government
Magna Carta
Mayflower
Compact