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Chapter 1-3 Struggle for Democracy Study Guide Essay

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Chapter 1 – Democracy and American Politics

I) Democracy – demos (the people) & kratein (to rule) a. Oligarchy – rule by a few and a minority group holds power over a majority as in an aristocracy or a clerical establishment b. Monarchy – rule by one where power rests in the hands of a king or queen c. Athens was known for the purest form of democracy that has ever existed. d. Direct democracy – form of political decision making in which public business is decided by all citizens meeting in small assemblies. (school, city, workplaces, etc.) e. Representative democracy – indirect democracy in which the people rule through elected representatives. f. Benchmarks of a liberal …show more content…

i) Common Sense – Thomase Paine’s popular pamphlet that called for American independence. ii) Declaration was inspired by the second treatise on government by John Locke arguing that legitimate government can be established only by the people, to protect inalienable rights, and can govern only with their consent. c. Declaration avoided: slavery, women, native Americans, free blacks II) The Articles of Confederation: The First Constitution a. American Revolution had a loose confederation among the states. b. Articles of Confederation – first constitution of the US adopted during the last stages of the revolutionary war, created a system of government with most power lodged in the states and little in the central government. Ratified in 1781 by requisite number of the states; passed @ second continental congress in 1777 i. Preserve the power, independence, and sovereignty of the states and ensure that the central government would not encroach on the liberty of the people. ii. Could make war or peace iii. Could not levy taxes iv. Could not regulate commerce or start army v. No executive branch to ensure laws passed would

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