Civics_Ch2_webquest-consent


 * Consent of the governed - like our Founding Fathers chose!**

Our Founding Fathers set up a system based on self-government with the consent of the governed, or the people. **Popular sovereignty** (__vocabulary__) describes self-government based on consent of the governed.

A **monarchy** (__vocabulary__) - king/queen - is rule by one person who has power by birth. Today, Britain still has the monarchy, but it is a constitutional monarchy, which means the king/queen is merely the symbol of the nation, while the government is controlled by Parliament and the Prime Minister. An absolute monarch has control over the people, but this type of monarchy isn't common in today's world.

A **dictatorship** (__vocabulary__) is also rule by one person, but the dictator gains and maintains power through fear or force. In most cases throughout history, dictators do not allow fundamental rights to the people and usually see democratic uprisings in their countries.

The Founding Fathers chose a government based on consent of the governed because they believed it protected the natural rights of individuals.

IMPORTANT NOTE IN STUDY NOTES: A government based on the rule of the people or consent of the government is a **democracy** (__vocabulary__). Do you know where the first example of democracy was? [|Click here to find out] (make sure you record in the answer in notes to study).

STUDY NOTES: (1) Which document was the first instance of government with consent of the people (Nov. 21, 1620 signed by the Pilgrims)? Mayflower Compact (2) What government term means the same as consent of the governed? Popular Sovereignty

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