wgu american politics and the us constitution c963 social studies boards latest solution 20222023
wgu american politics and the us constitution c963
social studies boards latest solution 20222023
s
Written for
WGU American Politics And The US Constitution C963
All documents for this subject (2)
Seller
Follow
Nipsey
Reviews received
Content preview
WGU American Politics And The US Constitution
C963/ Social Studies Boards Latest Solution
2022/2023
Thomas Hobbes Correct Answer: English materialist and political philosopher who advocated
absolute sovereignty as the only kind of government that could resolve problems caused by the
selfishness of human beings (1588-1679)
One of the 1sts to contribute to the idea of a social contract- he claimed society is not something
natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us....
Instead of being passive members of society, we are its creator, and the society we create has the
purpose of serving our needs. Therefore, *we are in control of society, rather than its being in control
of us.*
Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher, considered to be one of the founders of modern
political philosophy. Hobbes is best known for his 1651 book Leviathan, in which he expounds an
influential formulation of *social contract theory*.
State of Nature Correct Answer: theory, idea. A time period in history before any government, rulers,
and kings. During this time period, people lived in "nature" and had NATURAL RIGHTS.
Natural rights Correct Answer: in nature, people had freedom of speech/press/vote, freedom of
religion, freedom of assembly, freedom to protect themselves (with weapons), property rights, ect.
John Locke- life, liberty and property **Natural Rights define out INDIVIDUAL IDENITY= Human
nature. **Locke: yet it is hard and inconvenient to Live in Nature
John Locke Correct Answer: 17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings
and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.
English philosopher who advocated the idea of a "social contract" in which government powers are
derived from the consent of the governed and in which the government serves the people; also said
people have natural rights to life, liberty and property.
Social Contract Theory Correct Answer: The belief that people are free and equal by natural right,
and that this in turn requires that all people give their consent to be governed; espoused by John
Locke and influential in the writing of the declaration of independence.
Social = society is created by the people. People come out of nature to create a society or nation.
Contract= people create/vote for the laws, Governments, & Leaders...
...*an agreement between people and government where citizens consent to the government as long
as the government protects their natural rights.*
Sovereignty Correct Answer: The Power & Authority to Rule or Govern.
,We believe that Government's power comes from the consent, power and rights of the people.
(Popular Sovernty)
Consensual political rule Correct Answer: Majority Rule. People Vote (political equality) & whoever
gets the most votes wins in our elections & laws
What were the the primary goals of the Articles of Confederation? Correct Answer: to create a
confederation of states whereby each state retained "its sovereignty, freedom, and independence,
and every power, jurisdiction, and right...not...expressly delegated to the United States in Congress
assembled."
-to secure the blessings of liberty. No basic rights will ever be taken away.
-to promote the general welfare. Maintain order, regulate commerce, grant patents, protect individual
liberties.
-to provide for the common defense. ...
-to insure domestic tranquility. ...
-to establish justice. ...
-to form a more perfect union.
What was the structure of government under the Articles of Confederation? Correct Answer: 1 house
(I chamber) in a legislative branch.
NO president,
NO courts (no judiciary or executive branches)
ONLY the legislative branch to pass laws....(Supposed to take care of Indian affairs, foreign relations,
letting new states be formed, settle disputes, have a post office, deal with other countries, declare
war)
What were some weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? Correct Answer: This congress in the
legislative branch *could pass laws, but could not enforce them.* It was up to the states to enforce
laws...
Because it could not enforce it's own laws; it could not tax the people, could not set up an army.
There was no president, or courts. Kept falling deeper into debt.
Too much power for the STATE government with a WEAK national, Confederation Government.
We were basically acting like the Divided States of America...Every state government acted like it
was it's own country. Every state printed it's own $$.. Every state was making it's own treaties with
other countries (Supposed to be the confederate government's job...,but again, they could not
enforce their own laws, and the states often opted not to follow their laws)
...after 5 years, it was a complete mess....led to the constitutional convention in Philadelphia in 1787.
,Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787 Correct Answer: they ended up deciding they
couldn't fix the confederation government; and they needed to write a new government. (only 12
states came to this meeting...not 13. Rhode island did not come) Meeting took 100 Days!
What was the Virginia Plan? Correct Answer: It was written by James Madison.
-Proposed a new government with *3 branches* of government- legislative, executive, and Judicial
-Proposed having TWO elected groups in the Legislative Branch (Or *2 chambers* -bicameral-
means 2 groups or chambers) 2 different groups that have to agree for a new law to be written.
-The House of Representatives should be elected by the people, and the Senate would be elected by
the state legislatures.
-*The number of elected representatives and senators would be based on population size of the
states.*
O Other Powers- The legislature could tax, regulate interstate trade, strike down unconstitutional
state laws, and use armed forces to enforce.
*Large states with higher population loved this plan...small states did not like the Virginia plan, and
especially did not like the population size part of this plan.*
What was the New Jersey Plan? Correct Answer: written by William Paterson "Father"
- also wanted *3 branches of gov.* (leg, exec, and Judicial,
- Proposed *1 chamber* (or house- unicameral.)
- *All states should be represented equally, so- all states have the SAME vote and the SAME power.*
What was the Great Compromise? Correct Answer: ▪ Compromise (brought both Virginia and New
Jersey plans together) proposed by *Robert Sherman* from Connecticut (Sometimes called the
*Connecticut Plan*)
• *The Legislative Branch would be based on Both population size and equal representation.*
• *TWO groups or chambers* = Bicameralism
O The House of Representatives would be elected directly by the people & be based on the
POPULATION SIZE in each state (VA PLAN)
O The Senate is where every state would be equally represented. (Two senators per State (NJ Plan)
What is the Three-Fifths compromise? Correct Answer: Came about during/because of the Great
Compromise.
Now each state wanted as much population as possible for the proposed House of
Representatives...
-The 3/5ths compromise allowed states to count slaves as part of each of their populations size. *5
slaves = 3 votes.*
At this time 10 out of the 13 states allowed slavery. (northern & southern states had slavery....after
the constitution was written, it didn't take the northern states long to outlaw slavery.)
3/5ths compromised continued for a while later as the southern states continued to allow slavery.
What were the Anti-Federalist's views on the scope and powers of the government? Correct Answer:
-Thought the new Federal Government was TOO big and too powerful, and would TAKE AWAY the
rights of the people.
-Wanted a *Bill of Rights* to Protect their liberties (*their STRONGEST argument*)
, - Thought the new president would turn into a king.
What was the purpose and main arguments made in Federalist #10 Correct Answer: -Pure
democracies are short lived, full of conflict, volatility, and excessiveness.
- *Factions*:
O-*How can we keep our FREEDOMS and Prevent FACTIONS from taking over??*
▪ The principle tasks of modern legislation is "the regulation of these various and interfering interests"
▪ Also, Majority factions/groups could tyrannize minorities- called The "Tyranny of the Majority"
**Madison explained that a "strong, extended Republic (Meaning the new, Strong Federal
Government in the 2nd US Constitution)—splint into 3 branches with checks and Balances—will
STOP extreme factions from taking over & PROTCT our liberties better than the Articles of
Confederation.
Factions Correct Answer: Groups such as parties or interest groups, which according to James
Madison arose from the unequal distribution of property or wealth and had the potential to cause
instability in government.
"a number of citizens whether...a majority or minority who
1) are united and actuated by the same common impulse or passions or of interests, and
2) adverse to the rights of other citizens or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the
community.
What was the purpose and main arguments made in Federalist #51. Correct Answer: James
Maddison explains the *3 branches of government*, their separate powers; why they needed to be
separated, as well as explains all the *checks and balances* that they would have over each other to
stop each other / prevent one branch from taking over.
What is the purpose of having separations of powers? Correct Answer: Prevents monopoly of power
or tyranny in one leader, one branch, or group.
How are laws made and enforced using the separation of powers? Correct Answer: -*Legislative
Branch*- Senate & House of Representatives write & Propose Laws...average about 10,000
-proposed laws each year....1,000 proposed laws go to the president (*Executive Branch*)- Law
enforcing Branch
-When someone brakes a law- they go to the *Judicial Branch* (Law- interpreting Branch) Judges
decide if they broke a law, and what punishment needs to be.
What is a Republic? Correct Answer: - A form of government in which *power resides in the people
(popular sovereignty)*.
- People elect representatives who become the government.
- Based on the "Rule of Law"- NOT the Rule of Men. Also embraces the idea of public virtue, an
informed and active citizenry using Majority Rule.
What is Checks & balances? Correct Answer: -Give each branch scrutiny and control over the other 2
branches.
-Extra Constitutional powers that allow each BRANCH to investigate, confirm or stop the other 2
branches.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller Nipsey. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $14.49. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
