1. Mr. Kallusingh

2.  Government is here to make and enforce public policies  Public policies cover but are not limited to taxation, defense, education, crime, health care, civil rights, working conditions, etc

3.  Democracy-ultimate political power rests with the people; it can be direct or indirect; we have a representative democracy  Autocracies(Dictatorship)- single person holds all political power  Oligarchy(Dictatorship)-small group of people have all the power, usually self-appointed  Dictatorships- can have elections; can have legislative bodies; usually are militaristic and take power by force

4.  Equality- all people should have the same opportunity and be equal in front of the law regardless of race, color, religion, or gender  Majority Rules- the idea that the majority of people will be right more then they will be wrong

5.  Minority Rights- the majority must listen to the ideas of the minority or it will destroy them  Compromise- democracy is supposed to put the individual first, so compromise is a must with so many individuals having differing opinions

6.  Magna Carta(1215)-developed by wealthy to control the king of England powers especially taxes; included trial by jury, due process, life/ liberty/ property  English Bill of Rights(1688)- no standing army during peace time; parliamentary elections are free; king had to obtain approval by parliament; fair trial; no excessive bail; no cruel and unusual punishment

7.  State Constitutions- are the supreme law in a state, but they are to not contradict the constitution of the United States; common features popular sovereignty, limited government, civil rights and liberties, separation of powers with checks and balance

8.  The First Continental Congress(1774)- met due to the constant restraints of England on America; Sent a declaration of rights to protest British colonial policies  The Second Continental Congress(1775)- British ignored colonial request and became more harsh; This became the first government in America from 1776-1781

9.  Declaration of Independence(1776)- was created to completely break away from England, during the revolution; Mainly written by Thomas Jefferson  Articles of Confederation(1781)- created a weak limited federal government

10.  Philadelphia convention(1787)- called to fix the Articles, but quickly decided to make a new constitution  The Virginia Plan- wanted three branches of government legislative, executive, judicial; bicameral congress one elected by people other by representatives; representation was decided by population or monetary contribution; gave federal government more power

11.  New Jersey Plan- maintained unicameral congress; congress could tax and regulate trade; group for executive branch picked by congress; judicial branch picked by executive  Compromise- two houses one equal representation the other population; 3/5 compromise to count slaves; congress could regulate trade

12.  Limited Government- government can only exercise the powers given to it by the people  Separation of Powers- powers are split among the three branches to avoid consolidation  Checks and Balances- each branch can control the other branch if needed like veto power

13.  Federalism- has a central government that works with local governments  Amending- the framers of the constitution allowed it to be changed over time  Ratification(1788)- was difficult as federalist and anti-federalist argued over the power of the central government and a lack of Bill of Rights  Bill of Rights(1791)- the first ten amendments and they focused around civil rights

14.  Division of powers- gives certain powers to the federal government and others to the states  Responsibilities of the federal government- all states must be a republican government; protect from invasion and internal disorder; respect for territorial integrity

15.  Interstate Relations-states are separate but have to interact with each other due to issues such as water, wildlife, tax, motor vehicle safety, license, universities, extradition, etc