Scavenger Hunt Answers
1. Alexander Hamilton - A New York delegate to the Continental Congresses and the
Constitutional Convention, author of the Federalist Papers.
2. Anti-Federalists - Those opposed to the Constitution because they feared the power of the
national government in the new federal system.
3. Authoritarian government - Type of government in which an individual or group has
unlimited authority.
4. Bill of Rights – The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
5. Checks and balances - A political system in which each branch of government can limit
the power of the other branches.
6. Classical republic - A representative democracy in which a small group of leaders,
elected by the citizens, represents the concerns of the electorate.
7. Confederation - Involves two or more independent states which unite to achieve a
common goal.
8. Constitutionalism - The idea that the basic principles and laws of a government should be
organized and administered through compliance with a written or unwritten constitution.
9. Direct democracy - A government where the will of the people is translated into public
policy directly by the people themselves.
10. Divine right of kings - The belief that monarchs were chosen by God, giving the monarch
unlimited authority.
11. Federalism - The distribution of power between a federal government and the states
within a union.
12. Federalists – Those who favored to the Constitution because they felt there was a need
for a strong national government.
13. George Washington - First president of the United States.
14. James Madison - Called the “Father of the Constitution” since his work was essential to
the writing and ratification of the Constitution. He also wrote the first 12 amendments to
the Constitution, 10 of which were ratified as the Bill of Rights.
15. John Locke - English political philosopher, wrote Two Treatises of Government,
advocating natural rights of life, liberty and property as well as religious toleration,
strongest influence on Thomas Jefferson.
16. Biblical Law - Also called Judeo-Christian law; emphasizes how both Jewish and
Christian principles influenced the Founding Fathers’ personal beliefs about liberty,
responsibility, hard work, ethics, justice, and equality.
17. Limited government - A government in which constitutions, statements of rights, or other
laws define the limits of those in power.
18. Monarchy - A country is governed by a hereditary ruler.
19. Parliamentary system - System in which there is an elected parliament.
20. Popular sovereignty - The concept that political power rests with the people who can
create, alter, and abolish government.
21. Presidential system - System in which there is an elected President.
22. Republicanism - A philosophy of limited government with elected representatives serving
at the will of the people.
23. Separation of powers - The concept of separating the powers of government between the
executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
24. Social contract theory - In order for man to live in groups, he must give up some of his
freedom to the government in exchange for protection of his natural rights.
25. Socialist government - The government owns some factors of production.
26. Theocracy - A form of government in which a state is governed by immediate divine
guidance or by officials who are regarded as divinely guided.
27. Thomas Jefferson - Third president of the United States and author of the Declaration of
Independence.
28. Tribal government - The governing body of a tribe that is typically distinct from other
tribes as a matter of geography, native language, religion, and culture.
29. Unalienable rights - Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
30. Unitary system - Power is held at the national level, with very little power being held in
political subdivisions, such as provinces, counties, parishes, or towns.