REVIEW

Government Unit One Review
The Preamble
1. You should be able to recite the Preamble to the Constitution
2. List and explain the purposes of government found in the Preamble.
3. According to the Preamble where does government get its power?
The State and It’s Origin
1. List and explain the characteristics of a state.
2. Know the meaning of the word sovereign.
3. Explain the force theory.
4. Explain the divine right theory.
5. Explain the evolutionary theory.
6. Explain the social contract theory INCLUDING:
a. the English philosopher primarily responsible for the theory
b. the American influenced by the theory in the writing of the Declaration

c. the purpose of government
d. the state of nature
e. why the social contract is voluntary
Basic Concepts of Democracy
1. List and explain the basic concepts of democracy INCLUDING:
a. what restrains the will of the majority
b. the difference between relative freedom and absolute freedom
Declaration of Independence
1. Be familiar with the opening paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence.
2. According to the Declaration why does Government exist?
3. What important roles did the 2nd Continental Congress play?
4. Who is the primary author of the Declaration?
Articles of Confederation
1. Explain the structure of the government under the Articles of confederation.
2. List and explain the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
3. Explain Shays’ Rebellion
Constitutional Convention
1. What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention and what was the result?
2. Explain the important role compromise played in the Constitutional Convention.
3. What important roles were played by James Madison and George Washington?
4. Explain the specifics of the following:
a. the Virginia Plan
b. the New Jersey Plan
c. the Three-Fifths Compromise
d. the Connecticut Compromise
Ratification
1. Explain how the Constitution was to be ratified.
2. What were The Federalist Papers?
3. Explain who the Federalists were INCLUDING:
a. their position on the Constitution
b. who was most likely to be a Federalist
4. Explain who the Anti-Federalists were INCLUDING:
a. their position on the Constitution
b. who was most likely to be and Anti-Federalist
5. Explain the role a bill of rights played in the ratification process.
6. Be able to place the following documents in chronological order:
Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, Constitution, Articles of Confederation
Vocabulary
Be familiar with ALL your vocabulary words.