Question

The colonists came to the new world with the ideas of the Enlightenment period as their source of governmental philosophy. In three to five well developed paragraphs, define/discuss the three basic principles upon which the new system of government was created. For each of the principles, also indicate an example of how the principle was included in the organization and formation of the national government

Answer 1

Following are the three basic principles upon which the new system of government was created:

1. Popular Sovereignty - This principle states that the source of governmental power lies with the people. This belief stems from the idea that government should be for the benefit of its citizens. If the government is not protecting the people, it should be dissolved.
 
2. Limited Government - Since the people give government its power, government itself is limited to the power given to it by them. In other words, the US government does not derive its power from itself. It must follow its own laws and it can only act using powers given to it by the people.
 
3. Separation of Powers - As stated previously, the US Government is divided into three branches so that no one branch has all the power. Each branch has its own purpose: to make the laws, execute the laws, and interpret the laws.