Civics: Foundations of Government

Our Founding Fathers invented all the ideas that shaped the American system of government.

• True

• False

Most of the ideas and traditions that influenced the American government came from the colonist's British heritage.

• True

• False

Definition: The people are the source of any and all governmental power.

• Limited Government

• Rule of Law

• Consent of the Governed

• Representative Government

Definition: Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do.

• Rule of Law

• Limited Government

• Democracy

• Consent of the Governed

Definition: The government and those who govern are bound by the law, as are those who are governed.

• Rule of Law

• Republic

• Democracy

• Representative Government

Definition: System of government in which power rests with the people.

• Consent of the Governed

• Federalism

• Representative Government

• Democracy

Definition: In a representative system of government, the people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf.

• Consent of the Governed

• Representative Government

• Federalism

• Democracy

Definition: The authority is divided between a central government and its political units (states).

• Federalism

• Democracy

• Representative Government

• Consent of the Governed

Which principle best matches the quote? Use the clues.

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined. Those which are to remain in the State governments are numerous and indefinite.” James Madison, The Federalist 45

• Rule of Law

• Democracy

• Limited Government

Which principle best matches the quote? Use the clues.

“WE THE PEOPLE of the United States...do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” Preamble to the Constitution, 1787

• Self Government

• Federalism

• Representative Government