Mr.+Henderson's+Classroom+Notes


 * //Unit 2 Notes//**


 * //What are the fundamental political principles that have shaped government in the United States?//**

Fundamental political principles
 * Consent of the governed: The people are the source of any and all governmental power.
 * Limited government: Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do.
 * Rule of law: The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those who are governed.
 * Democracy: In a democratic system of government, the people rule.
 * Representative government: In a representative system of government, the people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf.


 * //How does the Constitution of the United States of America reflect previous documents, including the charters of the Virginia Company of London, the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?//**

Influence of earlier documents on the Constitution of the United States of America – stated grievances against the king of Great Britain – declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain – affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) – established the idea that all people are equal under the law. – established the first form of national government for the independent states – maintained that major powers resided with individual states – created weak central government (e.g., no power to tax or enforce laws); led to the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America. The Constitution of the United States of America, including the Bill of Rights,
 * The charters of the Virginia Company of London guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists.
 * The Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution of the United States of America.
 * The Declaration of Independence
 * The Articles of Confederation
 * The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom stated freedom of religious beliefs and opinions.
 * established the structure of the United States government
 * guaranteed equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected
 * affirmed individual worth and dignity of all people
 * protected the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.


 * //What are the purposes identified in the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America?//**

The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America expresses the reasons the constitution was written. Purposes of United States government The Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America begins, “We the People,” thereby establishing that the power of government comes from the people.
 * To form a more perfect union
 * To establish justice
 * To ensure domestic tranquility
 * To provide for the common defense
 * To promote the general welfare
 * To secure the blessings of liberty