7th Grade Civics EOC Review
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1969oo
1. Baron De Montesquieu: View "separation of power"
Founding Fathers used his views when writing the Constitution.
He described the separation of political power among a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary
2. John Locke: He wrote that government is morally obligated to serve people, namely by protecting their natura
rights of life, liberty, and property.
Think-Declaration of Independence
3. John Locke "Social Contract": A social contract is the belief that the state only exists to serve the will of
the people.
He believed when government violates individual rights, people were obligated to rebel.
Think - Declaration of Independence/American Revolution
4. Magna Carta (1215): First document to limit the powers of the king - signed in 1215.
Citizens could not be deprived of life, liberty or property without a lawful judgment of their peers or by law of the land.
Represented by the fifth amendment.
5. English Bill of Rights (1689): Established freedom from taxation without representation, outlawed crue
and unusual punishment, guaranteed the right to bear arms, and many other rights.
Many of these same rights are included in the U.S. Constitution.
6. Mayflower Compact (1620): First document to establish self-government in the colonies.
Signed before the passengers left the ship, The Mayflower, to settle in Plymouth Colony.
7. Common Sense (Thomas Paine): Pamphlet encouraging colonists to demand their rights as citizens
and support independence for the colonies.
Ideas are echoed in the Declaration of Independence.
, 7th Grade Civics EOC Review
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1969oo
8. Self-Government: Government or control of a country by its own members rather than by members of a
different country.
9. Declaration of Independence: Statement of American ideals -role of government is to protect their
natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) - adopted July 4, 1776.
Also listed grievances against the king. Colonists were angry over being taxed without their consent (no taxation without
representation).
10. Assent: Official approval or agreement
11. Tyranny: Cruel and oppressive government or rule.
12. Shay's Rebellion (1787): Protests by Massachusetts farmers over tax collections and judgments for debt.
State militia crushed the rebels.
Alarmed politicians - cited as a reason to revise or replace the Articles of Confederation.
13. Articles of Confederation: First form of government for America.
Many Weaknesses:
Only had a Congress where 9 out of the 13 states had to agree.
No executive or judicial branch (power to enforce or interpret laws).
States had the majority of the power.
Country in debt - no way to raise money.
14. Preamble to the Constitution: Introduction to the U.S. Constitution, establishing the goals and
purposes of government.
"We the People" = government depends on the people for its power and exists to serve them.
Sets up the six goals of government.
, 7th Grade Civics EOC Review
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1969oo
15. Constitutional Government: Any government whose authority and construction are defined by a
constitution.
16. Separation of Powers: Powers of government are divided among three branches of government:
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
Limits the power of government.
Montesquieu (French philosopher) believed this was a way to ensure liberty.
17. Checks and Balances: Each governmental branch has powers to limit (check) the other branches.
Keeps the balance of power relatively equal between the branches.
Montesquieu (French philosopher) believed this was a way to ensure liberty.
18. Federalists: Supporters of the Constitution who believe a strong national government is needed to keep the
country united.
Published the Federalist Papers to gain support for the Constitution.
19. Anti-
Federalists: Feared a strong federal government as created by the Constitution.
Did not believe it would protect states' rights nor people's freedom.
As the Constitution is ratified, they push for a "Bill of Rights" to protect individual liberties.
20. Bill of Rights: First 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution - details the specific freedoms that belong to each
American citizen.
21. Rule of Law: No one is above the law.
Foundation of liberty in the United States and it protects us from tyranny; Constitution = limited government.
22. Civil Law: Group of laws that refer to disputes among people or organizations.
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1969oo
1. Baron De Montesquieu: View "separation of power"
Founding Fathers used his views when writing the Constitution.
He described the separation of political power among a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary
2. John Locke: He wrote that government is morally obligated to serve people, namely by protecting their natura
rights of life, liberty, and property.
Think-Declaration of Independence
3. John Locke "Social Contract": A social contract is the belief that the state only exists to serve the will of
the people.
He believed when government violates individual rights, people were obligated to rebel.
Think - Declaration of Independence/American Revolution
4. Magna Carta (1215): First document to limit the powers of the king - signed in 1215.
Citizens could not be deprived of life, liberty or property without a lawful judgment of their peers or by law of the land.
Represented by the fifth amendment.
5. English Bill of Rights (1689): Established freedom from taxation without representation, outlawed crue
and unusual punishment, guaranteed the right to bear arms, and many other rights.
Many of these same rights are included in the U.S. Constitution.
6. Mayflower Compact (1620): First document to establish self-government in the colonies.
Signed before the passengers left the ship, The Mayflower, to settle in Plymouth Colony.
7. Common Sense (Thomas Paine): Pamphlet encouraging colonists to demand their rights as citizens
and support independence for the colonies.
Ideas are echoed in the Declaration of Independence.
, 7th Grade Civics EOC Review
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1969oo
8. Self-Government: Government or control of a country by its own members rather than by members of a
different country.
9. Declaration of Independence: Statement of American ideals -role of government is to protect their
natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness) - adopted July 4, 1776.
Also listed grievances against the king. Colonists were angry over being taxed without their consent (no taxation without
representation).
10. Assent: Official approval or agreement
11. Tyranny: Cruel and oppressive government or rule.
12. Shay's Rebellion (1787): Protests by Massachusetts farmers over tax collections and judgments for debt.
State militia crushed the rebels.
Alarmed politicians - cited as a reason to revise or replace the Articles of Confederation.
13. Articles of Confederation: First form of government for America.
Many Weaknesses:
Only had a Congress where 9 out of the 13 states had to agree.
No executive or judicial branch (power to enforce or interpret laws).
States had the majority of the power.
Country in debt - no way to raise money.
14. Preamble to the Constitution: Introduction to the U.S. Constitution, establishing the goals and
purposes of government.
"We the People" = government depends on the people for its power and exists to serve them.
Sets up the six goals of government.
, 7th Grade Civics EOC Review
Study online at https://quizlet.com/_1969oo
15. Constitutional Government: Any government whose authority and construction are defined by a
constitution.
16. Separation of Powers: Powers of government are divided among three branches of government:
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
Limits the power of government.
Montesquieu (French philosopher) believed this was a way to ensure liberty.
17. Checks and Balances: Each governmental branch has powers to limit (check) the other branches.
Keeps the balance of power relatively equal between the branches.
Montesquieu (French philosopher) believed this was a way to ensure liberty.
18. Federalists: Supporters of the Constitution who believe a strong national government is needed to keep the
country united.
Published the Federalist Papers to gain support for the Constitution.
19. Anti-
Federalists: Feared a strong federal government as created by the Constitution.
Did not believe it would protect states' rights nor people's freedom.
As the Constitution is ratified, they push for a "Bill of Rights" to protect individual liberties.
20. Bill of Rights: First 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution - details the specific freedoms that belong to each
American citizen.
21. Rule of Law: No one is above the law.
Foundation of liberty in the United States and it protects us from tyranny; Constitution = limited government.
22. Civil Law: Group of laws that refer to disputes among people or organizations.
