Philosophical Foundations of the American Revolution - AP U.S. History
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Who is the philosopher most associated with social contract theory?
Who is the philosopher most associated with social contract theory?
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John Locke. Developed theory that government derives legitimacy from citizen consent.
John Locke. Developed theory that government derives legitimacy from citizen consent.
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What does the term 'consent of the governed' mean?
What does the term 'consent of the governed' mean?
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Government's power derives from the people's consent. Legitimacy requires agreement of the people being governed.
Government's power derives from the people's consent. Legitimacy requires agreement of the people being governed.
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What is the primary purpose of government according to John Locke?
What is the primary purpose of government according to John Locke?
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To protect natural rights. Government exists to safeguard life, liberty, and property.
To protect natural rights. Government exists to safeguard life, liberty, and property.
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Which document declares that 'all men are created equal'?
Which document declares that 'all men are created equal'?
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The Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's famous phrase establishing principle of human equality.
The Declaration of Independence. Jefferson's famous phrase establishing principle of human equality.
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Identify the Enlightenment philosopher who influenced American political thought with his separation of powers theory.
Identify the Enlightenment philosopher who influenced American political thought with his separation of powers theory.
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Montesquieu. Advocated dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Montesquieu. Advocated dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
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Who wrote 'The Spirit of the Laws' advocating for separation of powers?
Who wrote 'The Spirit of the Laws' advocating for separation of powers?
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Montesquieu. Influential work on government structure and liberty protection.
Montesquieu. Influential work on government structure and liberty protection.
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What is the principle of 'federalism'?
What is the principle of 'federalism'?
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Division of power between national and state governments. Balances central authority with local state autonomy.
Division of power between national and state governments. Balances central authority with local state autonomy.
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What was the purpose of the Continental Congress?
What was the purpose of the Continental Congress?
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To coordinate colonial resistance to British policies. United colonies to oppose British taxation and laws.
To coordinate colonial resistance to British policies. United colonies to oppose British taxation and laws.
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What is the term for the belief in equal political rights for all citizens?
What is the term for the belief in equal political rights for all citizens?
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Political egalitarianism. All citizens should have equal voice in government.
Political egalitarianism. All citizens should have equal voice in government.
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Which Enlightenment concept challenged the divine right of kings?
Which Enlightenment concept challenged the divine right of kings?
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Popular sovereignty. Rejected monarchy in favor of government by the people.
Popular sovereignty. Rejected monarchy in favor of government by the people.
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What is the primary theme of the Federalist Papers?
What is the primary theme of the Federalist Papers?
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Support for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defended the new Constitution.
Support for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defended the new Constitution.
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Name the philosopher who argued that political authority should derive from the people.
Name the philosopher who argued that political authority should derive from the people.
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Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Wrote that sovereignty belongs to the general will.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau. Wrote that sovereignty belongs to the general will.
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Which ancient civilization's democracy influenced American political thought?
Which ancient civilization's democracy influenced American political thought?
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Ancient Greece. Athenian democracy provided model for representative government.
Ancient Greece. Athenian democracy provided model for representative government.
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Who is known for advocating the separation of church and state?
Who is known for advocating the separation of church and state?
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Thomas Jefferson. Author of Declaration promoted religious freedom and tolerance.
Thomas Jefferson. Author of Declaration promoted religious freedom and tolerance.
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Identify the principle that emphasizes government accountability to the law.
Identify the principle that emphasizes government accountability to the law.
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Rule of law. No one, including rulers, is above the law's authority.
Rule of law. No one, including rulers, is above the law's authority.
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What is the purpose of a bill of rights in a constitution?
What is the purpose of a bill of rights in a constitution?
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To protect individual liberties and rights. Guarantees fundamental freedoms cannot be violated by government.
To protect individual liberties and rights. Guarantees fundamental freedoms cannot be violated by government.
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Which document asserts that people have the right to alter or abolish their government?
Which document asserts that people have the right to alter or abolish their government?
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The Declaration of Independence. Justifies revolution when government violates natural rights.
The Declaration of Independence. Justifies revolution when government violates natural rights.
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Name the Enlightenment thinker who proposed the idea of a 'tabula rasa' or blank slate.
Name the Enlightenment thinker who proposed the idea of a 'tabula rasa' or blank slate.
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John Locke. Believed humans are born without innate ideas or knowledge.
John Locke. Believed humans are born without innate ideas or knowledge.
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What is the significance of the 'Social Contract' in political philosophy?
What is the significance of the 'Social Contract' in political philosophy?
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It is an agreement among individuals to create a society. People voluntarily surrender some freedoms for collective benefits.
It is an agreement among individuals to create a society. People voluntarily surrender some freedoms for collective benefits.
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Which British philosopher is known for his influence on American revolutionary thought?
Which British philosopher is known for his influence on American revolutionary thought?
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John Locke. His theories on government and rights shaped colonial thinking.
John Locke. His theories on government and rights shaped colonial thinking.
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Name the document that first limited the power of the English monarch.
Name the document that first limited the power of the English monarch.
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Magna Carta. 1215 charter established principle that even kings must follow law.
Magna Carta. 1215 charter established principle that even kings must follow law.
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What is the term for the doctrine that government's power is limited?
What is the term for the doctrine that government's power is limited?
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Constitutionalism. Government authority must be constrained by fundamental law.
Constitutionalism. Government authority must be constrained by fundamental law.
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What are the three unalienable rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence?
What are the three unalienable rights mentioned in the Declaration of Independence?
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Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Core principles from Jefferson's draft influenced by Locke's natural rights.
Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Core principles from Jefferson's draft influenced by Locke's natural rights.
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What is the philosophical concept of 'natural rights'?
What is the philosophical concept of 'natural rights'?
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Rights inherent to all humans, not dependent on laws. These exist before government and cannot be taken away by laws.
Rights inherent to all humans, not dependent on laws. These exist before government and cannot be taken away by laws.
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What is the concept of 'popular sovereignty'?
What is the concept of 'popular sovereignty'?
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The authority of government is created by the consent of its people. Ultimate political power rests with the citizens themselves.
The authority of government is created by the consent of its people. Ultimate political power rests with the citizens themselves.
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Identify the philosopher known for the idea of checks and balances.
Identify the philosopher known for the idea of checks and balances.
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Montesquieu. Each branch can limit the others' power to prevent abuse.
Montesquieu. Each branch can limit the others' power to prevent abuse.
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Which concept advocates for the division of government into separate branches?
Which concept advocates for the division of government into separate branches?
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Separation of powers. Prevents tyranny by dividing authority among different branches.
Separation of powers. Prevents tyranny by dividing authority among different branches.
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Who wrote 'Common Sense' advocating for American independence?
Who wrote 'Common Sense' advocating for American independence?
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Thomas Paine. Pamphlet arguing monarchy was unnatural and independence necessary.
Thomas Paine. Pamphlet arguing monarchy was unnatural and independence necessary.
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What is the primary purpose of government according to John Locke?
What is the primary purpose of government according to John Locke?
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To protect natural rights. Government exists to safeguard life, liberty, and property.
To protect natural rights. Government exists to safeguard life, liberty, and property.
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What is the concept of 'popular sovereignty'?
What is the concept of 'popular sovereignty'?
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The authority of government is created by the consent of its people. Ultimate political power rests with the citizens themselves.
The authority of government is created by the consent of its people. Ultimate political power rests with the citizens themselves.
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