AP Daily: AP United States Government and Politics (1.1)

Summary

In this video, Jennifer Hitchcock introduces the foundational influences on the U.S. government, focusing on John Locke’s social contract theory and four key principles of democracy: natural rights, social contract, popular sovereignty, and republicanism. She explains how British constitutional systems, political philosophy, and colonial traditions shaped the desire for independence in the 13 colonies. Key concepts such as life, liberty, property, consent of the governed, and representative democracy are explored, highlighting their connection to the Declaration of Independence. By the end, students gain a clear understanding of how these ideals established the framework for limited government and citizen participation in the American political system.

Takeaways

• 😀 The founding era of the United States was influenced by the British constitutional system, political philosophy, and colonial traditions.
• 😀 Key British documents such as the Magna Carta (1215) and the English Bill of Rights (1689) shaped colonial governance and individual rights.
• 😀 Political philosophy, including the works of John Locke and Montesquieu, heavily influenced the founders' ideas about government.
• 😀 The colonies adopted aspects of Greek direct democracy, the Roman Republic, and the Iroquois Confederacy in shaping their governance.
• 😀 Colonial traditions included self-governance through legislatures, English common law courts, and mercantilist economic practices.
• 😀 Natural rights, as articulated by John Locke, include life, liberty, and property, forming the foundation for democratic principles.
• 😀 The social contract theory explains that individuals surrender some freedoms to create a government that protects collective rights.
• 😀 Popular sovereignty asserts that government derives its power from the consent of the governed, either directly or through representatives.
• 😀 Republicanism emphasizes representative government and regular elections, especially in larger populations or geographic areas.
• 😀 Foundational U.S. documents, including the Declaration of Independence, reflect these principles, particularly in protecting natural rights and promoting consent of the governed.
• 😀 Understanding these concepts—natural rights, social contract, popular sovereignty, and republicanism—is critical for contextualizing the U.S. system of government.

Q & A

What are the three broad categories of influences on the founding era of the United States?

The three broad categories are: 1) the British constitutional system, 2) political philosophy and historical influences, and 3) colonial traditions.

How did the British constitutional system influence the American colonies?

The British constitutional system influenced the colonies through charters granted by kings, which brought English institutions of government and rights, such as those in the Magna Carta (1215) and the English Bill of Rights (1689).

Which historical governments and systems did the American founders study?

Founders studied Greek direct democracies, the Roman republic, and the Iroquois Confederacy, as well as political theorists like John Locke and Montesquieu.

What role did colonial traditions play in shaping the desire for independence?

Colonial traditions, including self-governing legislatures, British-style courts, English common law, mercantilist economics, and cultural mixing of populations, contributed to a sense of identity and the push for independence.

What are natural rights according to John Locke, and how do they relate to American foundational documents?

Natural rights, according to Locke, include life, liberty, and property. These rights are inherent to all humans and influenced the Declaration of Independence, which frames 'the pursuit of happiness' as a key right.

What is the social contract, and why is it important for governance?

The social contract is an agreement in which individuals surrender certain extreme freedoms to create a predictable and organized government, ensuring continuity and protection of rights within a commonwealth.

Explain the concept of popular sovereignty in the context of the 13 colonies.

Popular sovereignty is the principle that government power resides with the people, and any governing authority must operate with their consent. This was especially important in the colonies, where representation was limited under British rule.

How does republicanism differ from direct democracy?

Republicanism is a system where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of a large population, whereas direct democracy involves individuals directly giving consent and making decisions themselves.

How did economic practices like mercantilism impact colonial attitudes toward independence?

Mercantilism, including the triangular trade and forced labor of Africans, shaped colonial economies and contributed to dissatisfaction with British control, fueling desires for self-governance and independence.

What is an example of a multiple-choice AP exam question based on social contract theory?

An example is: 'Which of the following describes social contract theory as advanced by John Locke?' The correct answer is: 'An agreement in which the government promises to protect the natural rights of people.'

Why is it important to understand natural rights, social contract, popular sovereignty, and republicanism together?

Understanding these concepts together provides a framework for how the American system of limited government was designed, highlighting how individual rights, citizen consent, and representative governance interact.

What impact did cultural and population mixing have on the movement toward independence?

The interaction among indigenous peoples, Europeans, and enslaved Africans influenced colonial society and heightened awareness of autonomy and rights, contributing to the desire for independence.