Florida Civics Literacy Exam Study Guide - POS 2041 (1)

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Lucas Guschmer Professor Colin Benner POS 2041 December 6 th , 2023 Florida Civics Literacy Exam Study Guide POS 2041 – American National Government 1. Principles of American Government Match the terms below with their descriptions. Federalism Due Process Civil Rights Rule of Law Equal Protection Constitutionalism Popular Sovereignty Separation of Powers Majority Rule Social Contract Republicanism Civil Liberties Limited government 1. Social Contract: Concept suggested by John Locke that Individuals willingly surrender some of their freedoms to an authority in exchange for protection of their natural rights. 2. Separation of Powers: Different branches of government have distinct powers and can ensure no single branch becomes too dominant by overseeing and limiting each other's actions. 3. Republicanism: The functions and powers of government are divided among distinct branches, usually including the executive, legislative, and judicial, to prevent abuse of power. 4. Limited government: Government only has the powers explicitly granted to it by law or governing documents. 5. Rule of Law: All individuals and institutions, including the government, are accountable to established laws that are fairly applied and enforced. 6. Due Process : Legal proceedings must be fair, just, and follow defined procedures. Individuals have a right to be treated equally in legal processes. 7. Popular Sovereignty: The power and authority of a government are created and maintained by the consent of the governed. “We the people”

Guschmer, 2 8. Civil Liberties: Certain rights are inherent by virtue of human nature and cannot be created or taken away by government. Life, Liberty and Property. 9. Federalism: System that divides government power between a central government and the states that makeup that central government. 10. Republicanism: Form of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf rather than making decisions through direct democracy. 11. Constitutionalism: Adherence to a system of governance that is defined and limited by a written constitution. 12. Majority Rule: Balance between the right of the majority to make laws that are binding on all members of society, and the basic rights of the minority that cannot be infringed on. 13. Equal Protection: Every individual is entitled to the same legal protections and rights under the law. 14. Civil Rights: Collective rights to equal social opportunities and protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other characteristics. 15. Civil Liberties: Personal freedoms and rights guaranteed to every citizen, often protected from government intervention or suppression. How are a pure/direct democracy and republican (representative) democracy different from each other? A republican (representative) democracy depends on elected officials to make choices on behalf of the people, whereas a pure or direct democracy allows citizens to participate directly in the decision-making process. Every qualified person in a direct democracy can influence laws and policies, whereas in a representative democracy, voters choose representatives who then make and carry out choices. Larger societies benefit more from the representative model, but smaller groups can benefit more from the direct method.

Guschmer, 3 What concerns did the founders have regarding more direct forms of democracy? What measures did they take in the Constitution to address these concerns? In more direct forms of democracy, the founders of the United States were worried about the possibility of mob rule and tyranny of the majority. They chose a republic in which people choose representatives in order to address these issues and instituted a representative democracy in the Constitution. To prevent abuses and promote more stable and conscientious governance, they established the separation of powers, restricted government authority, the Electoral College as an indirect presidential election, and checks and balances .

Guschmer, 4 2. Foundational Documents Match the documents below with their descriptions. Articles of Confederation (1781) Mayflower Compact (1620) Northwest Ordinances (1784, 1785,1787) English Bill of Rights (1689) Federalist 10 Common Sense (1776) Federalist 51 Magna Carta (1215) 1. Magna Carta : A medieval charter signed by English nobles that set forth principles of due process, limiting the king's power and influencing the development of constitutional liberties. 2. Common Sense (1776): A pamphlet advocating for American independence from Britain, arguing that the colonists should break away and form a more equitable government. 3. Northwest Ordinances (1784, 1785, 1787) : A series of laws governing the orderly admission of territories into the United States, emphasizing government structure, individual rights, and education. 4. English Bill of Rights (1689): A declaration of fundamental human rights that influenced the American Bill of Rights and highlighted principles such as the freedom of the press and the right to a fair trial. 5. Federalist 10: An essay from a series written in support of the U.S. Constitution, specifically discussing the importance of a large republic in controlling factions and preserving liberty. 6. Federalist 51: An essay from a series advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, focusing on the necessity of proper checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. 7. Articles of Confederation (1781): The first governing document of the United States, which established a confederation of sovereign states with a government possessing limited powers. 8. Mayflower Compact (1620): A document signed by early American settlers, establishing self-government and community unity under the principle of majority rule. 9. English Bill of Rights (1689): A declaration emphasizing inherent rights and liberties, which served as a model for similar declarations and the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights.

Guschmer, 5 The Articles of Confederation established the first government of the United States. It did not last long as it had many weaknesses. Match a weakness of the Articles of Confederation with the clause from the Constitution showing how it was addressed. Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:  No central leadership  Congress had no power to tax  Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of 13 states  Congress had no power to regulate trade  No national branch to settle disputes  Congress had no power to enforce its laws Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and Corresponding Constitutional Clauses:  No central leadership:  Constitutional Clause Addressing Weakness:  Article II, Section 1: "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America."  Congress had no power to tax:  Constitutional Clause Addressing Weakness:  Article 1, Section 8: "The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, … to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States."  Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of 13 states:  Constitutional Clause Addressing Weakness:  Article V: "The Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution..."  Congress had no power to regulate trade:  Constitutional Clause Addressing Weakness:  Article 1, Section 8: "The Congress shall have Power… To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States."  No national branch to settle disputes:  Constitutional Clause Addressing Weakness:  Article III, Section 1: "The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish."  Congress had no power to enforce its laws:  Constitutional Clause Addressing Weakness:  Article II, Section 3: "...he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed…"

Guschmer, 6

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