Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
Limited government
A political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent tyranny by protecting property and individual rights
Natural rights
Human rights that we are born with. John Locke central ideals. Life liberty and property
Popular sovereignty
The government gains power from the people, through way of elected officials.
Republicanism
Limited government where the officials serve to the will of the people and based on their consent.
Social Contract
The idea that society functions on an agreement between the people and the government, where the people give up some rights and freedoms in exchange for protection and services from the gov.
Declaration of Independence
Document approved by the American Colony’s representatives in 1776. It states their outrage at the British government and states their independence from Britain.
U.S. Constitution
A nations basic laws. It creates political structure and power and lays out the rights of the citizens.
Philadelphia convention
1787 – Delegates from all states but Georgia met to discuss the Articles of Confederation and ended with a new constitution.
Democracy
Government by the people, both directly or indirectly, with free and frequent elections.
Participatory democracy
A system of government where the ordinary people govern themselves rather than electing representatives to rule them
Pluralist democracy
A system where there is no ruling group in politics and the groups all compete to influence policy changes.
Elite democracy
A system in which a small group (usually wealthy) influence political changes
Federalists
Someone in favor of the US Constitution and believes in a strong central government
Anti-Federalists
Someone who opposed the new constitution of 1787, did not believe in strong central government
Federalist #10
Madison– Factions are groups of citizens united by a cause or shared opinion. May be a threat to the gov
Brutus #1
(Anti Fed) Laws can’t properly be enforced in a large republic where it’s difficult for a central gov to represent the people properly.
Faction
Founders used to describe political parties and interest groups
Articles of Confederation
Original constitution in 1777. Weak central government couldn’t levy taxes or control commerce
Shay’s Rebellion
Daniel Shay protested the debt crisis in Western Massachusetts, mortgage foreclosures, and the state’s increased demand on taxes. (1786-1787) Supported strong national government
Great (Connecticut) Compromise
Compromise at the constitutional convention that created the two house system. Senate would represent all states equally while the House of Representatives would be proportional to the state’s population