Unit 1 Study Guide KEY: Foundations of Government
Unit Study Guide: Answer these questions on your own. This will help you prepare for quizzes/tests!
1. How did the founding documents influence the US Constitution?
Charters of the
Virginia
Company of
London
Important
Details:
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Virginia
Declaration of
Rights
Important
Details:
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Virginia
Statute for
Religious
Freedom
Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
Important Details:
Important Details:
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Important
Details:
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US Constitution - 1787
2. What is a preamble?
First sentence to the US Constitution that lists the purposes of the Constitution
3. What are the SEVEN main reasons the Constitution of the United States was written, as stated in the
Preamble.
 We the People – people are the source of power in the US
 To form a more perfect union – create a more united country
 Establish justice – have fair courts and laws
 Ensure domestic tranquility – peace in OUR COUNTRY
 Common defense – have a US military to protect the country
 Promote the general welfare – provide for citizens when needed to make sure everyone is
happy and healthy
 Secure the blessings of liberty – to guarantee our freedom and rights
4. The US Constitution:
a. establishes the STRUCTURE of the US government
b. guarantees EQUALITY under the law with MAJORITY rule and the rights of the MINORITY
protected
c. affirms the individual WORTH and DIGNITY of all people
d. protects the fundamental freedoms of RELGION, PRESS, SPEECH, ASSEMBLY, PETITION
5. Define the following terms:
a. Amendment means to CHANGE TO THE CONSTITUTION
b. Proposal means to ASK FOR AN AMENDMENT
c. Ratification means to APPROVE AN AMENDMENT
6. How many times has the Constitution been amended? 27
7. Process for amending the Constitution of the United States:
First Step: PROPOSAL by Congress
Second Step: RATIFICATION by States
8. What is the Bill of Rights? FIRST 10 AMENDMENTS TO THE US CONSTITUTION
9. Are the liberties and rights in the Bill of Rights absolute? NO Why or why not? BECAUSE OUR RIGHTS
MAY BE LIMITED TO PROTECT THE SAFETY OF OTHER PEOPLE – for example: you cannot yell “fire!” in
a crowded movie theater when there isn’t a fire because you could cause someone to get hurt.
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First Amendment freedoms
Freedom of
Freedom of
Freedom of
Freedom of
Freedom of
PRESS
RELIGION
ASSEMBLY
SPEECH
PETITION
Definition:
Definition:
Definition:
Definition:
Definition:
Freedom to
publish or
broadcast
information
Freedom to
practice any
religion you
wish
Freedom to
gather together
peacefully and
legally
Freedom to
express an opinion
Freedom to
contact the govt
with your
complaints
Example:
Example:
Example:
Publishing an
article criticizing
the government
Being Muslim,
Christian,
Jewish
Holding a rally in
Washington DC
with a permit
Putting a sticker
on your car
supporting
someone for
President
Example:
Example:
Writing the
President a letter
with an idea
10. Identify each of the FIVE fundamental principles that shaped the United States’ government. Describe
the meaning of each principle.
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Consent of the governed—People are the source of any and all governmental power.
Limited government—Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things people have
given it the power to do.
Rule of law—The government and those who govern are bound by the law.
Democracy—In a democratic system of government the people rule.
Representative government—In a representative system of government people elect public
officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.