The Political Landscape by Emily Koster

1.1 - Origins of the American Government

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:39:36 UTC

Europeans came to the New World for a multitude of reasons, mostly to pursue religious freedoms or find new job opportunities. Some of the pilgrims enacted strict ideals that others didn't agree with, which caused some to break away and form their own seperate colonies. As civilization expanded, the people recognized a need for government and started to govern themselves, with techniques varying from each group.

1.2 - European Political Ideas Led to the Foundations of U.S. Government

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:41:06 UTC

European philosophers largely influenced the framers of our government in ideas such as the consent to being governed and personal liberties guaranteed to everyone. Colonists had trouble finding a national government that worked for them for fear of becoming too similar to Great Britain's controlling monarchy.

1.3 - Political Culture and American Democracy

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:41:54 UTC

The U.S. government was founded on the belief of personal liberty and equality which is crucial to it today. U.S. democracy has core characteristics that allow itself to be fairly ruled nd give power to the governed. The country now promotes religious freedom and also has several key characteristics of democracy, like popular consent and majority rule.

1.4 - Functions of American Government

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:42:12 UTC

This chapter went through all of the main points made in the preamble of the Constitution. They again emphasize the personal liberties that the Framers wanted to ensure that American citizens held and how the government will provide for the public. Even though this was written hundred of years ago, there is still debates about government roles and some say that these may infringe upon personal rights promised in the Constitution.

Effect

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:42:42 UTC

When the pilgrims began breaking off into more groups they began to realize that the needed a government and started to think of creating a new government separate from Great Britan.

Example

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:42:59 UTC

Anne Hutchinson left her colony when she claimed they lost touch with the Holy Spirit. She started anew in Portsmouth, Rhode Island with a colony that practiced religious tolerence.

Effect

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:43:06 UTC

By creating stricter rules on the details of our democracy, personal liberties are solidified and it also spreads the political power to society so that they too have a choice in what happens to the nation.

Example

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:43:36 UTC

Today, popular consent (the principle that government must draw power from consent of governed) is now exercised in our right to vote.

Effect

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:43:58 UTC

The Framers of the U.S. Government were strongly influenced by these European men and based some of the structure of out government on their thoughts.

Examples

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:44:04 UTC

John Locke believed in the preservation of personal property and strongly opposed having a single ruler, like a king. More French philosophers, like Charles-Louis and Jean Jaques Rousseau, believed that the government must fit well with the people and that it must perform checks and balances on its powers.

Examples

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-17 15:44:16 UTC

As the Constitution promises to ensure Domestic Tranquility, this is still a problem in today's society. Recently, because of terrorist attacks, the Department of Homeland Security has been instated.

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-19 01:42:46 UTC

John Locke

emilykoster13 — 2014-09-19 13:53:24 UTC