Unit 1 Foundations of American Democracy Study Guide

Unit 1: Foundations of American democracy Ideals of Democracy ● The Declaration of Independence, which was published in 1776 by the Second Continental Congress, outlined the United States' grievances with the British monarchy and its intention to establish a separate government. ● The Framers made the decision to establish a limited government based on the concepts of republicanism, natural rights, popular sovereignty, and social contract. ○ Limited government is the view that the government should have certain restrictions in order to protect the citizens' individual rights and civil liberties, as shown by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. ● All people are born with natural rights, which they can never renounce. The upkeep of these rights falls under the purview of the government. ○ Thomas Jefferson was influenced by John Locke (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) in regards to life, liberty, and property. ● The social contract is a pact between American society and the federal government in which the people agree to give up some liberties in exchange for the government defending the crucial ones (your natural rights). ● According to the concept of "popular sovereignty," the "consent of the governed" gives the government its authority. ● Republicanism is a form of government where citizens' interests are represented by elected officials. ● The ideological cornerstones of the American democracy are the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The United States Constitution ○ The concepts of natural rights and the social contract were developed by English philosopher John Locke. ○ Thomas Jefferson originally penned the essay, and John Adams and Benjamin Franklin revised it "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, and that these rights shall not be taken away from any human being, native or otherwise, without his or her express written consent," reads one of the list of complaints against the British Crown. that the pursuit of happiness, liberty, and life are among these. ■ that governments are established among men to protect these rights, using the consent of the governed to obtain their just powers. ■ that the people have the right to change or abolish any form of government whenever it becomes destructive of these ends. a new government that bases its operations on the principles and structures that it believes will most effectively advance its Security and Joy." ○ On July 4, 1776, the colonial representatives approved the Declaration of Independence. ● The Constitution of the United States ○ replaced the Articles of Confederation, a shoddy form of government that gave state governments a lot of power. ○ State representatives gathered in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention to create a government that would strike a balance between personal freedom and public order. ○ The Constitution was drafted by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, two Revolutionary War heroes, "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more Perfect Union," and George Washington. Union, enact Justice, safeguard Domestic Peace, and provide for the common defense, further the welfare of all, and ensure blessings Do ordain and establish this in the interest of liberty for ourselves and our descendants. United States of America Constitution ○ The federal government ratified the Constitution in 1788, when New Hampshire became the ninth of the original 13 states to do so. ■ The Federalist Papers were created to aid in the ratification process because the new system required the consent of all 50 states. without resistance adopted. ○ Since its inception, the Constitution has undergone 27 amendments, the first ten of which are referred to as the Bill of Rights. ■ Because change was possible, these amendments were crucial in persuading anti-federalist states to ratify the Constitution.