Birth of America: Republic, Declaration, and Constitution

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on the birth of America, republic vs democracy, and the founding documents.

republic

A form of government in which sovereign power is held by elected representatives rather than a monarch; used by Madison to curb the mischiefs of faction.

democracy

A system where the people rule directly or through majority rule; viewed by the founders as prone to tyranny and less stable than a republic.

mischiefs of faction

The problems caused by groups pursuing their interests over the common good; mitigated in a republic through representation.

Federalist Papers

Essays by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defending the Constitution and advocating a strong national government.

Federalists

Supporters of ratifying the Constitution and a strong central government; key figures include Franklin, Hamilton, Jay, and Washington.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of ratification who favored stronger state governments and often a Bill of Rights; notable figures include Patrick Henry, Sam Adams, and George Mason.

Constitution

The 1787 document establishing a stronger federal framework with checks and balances, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Articles of Confederation

The first national constitution; created a weak central government with no executive or national judiciary; states retained sovereignty.

Shays' Rebellion

A 1786–87 uprising by indebted farmers that exposed weaknesses of the Articles and hastened calls for a stronger central government.

Great Compromise

The agreement creating a bicameral Congress: representation by population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for representation by population in both houses; favored by larger states.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for equal representation for each state in a unicameral legislature; favored by smaller states.

Unalienable rights

Rights inherent to all humans that cannot be taken away; include life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

Three unalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence; central to liberal political theory.

consent of the governed

Principle that government derives its authority from the permission of the people it governs.

nature's god

Reference in the Declaration to natural law as the basis for rights and political legitimacy.

self-evident truths

Statements proclaimed as obvious and undeniable, such as that all men are created equal.

prudence

Aristotelian/Platonic virtue urging caution in rebellion; warns against upheaval over minor grievances.

light and transient causes

Minor issues not warranting revolution, according to the Declaration's prudential argument.

tyranny

Oppressive rule where power is exercised for the ruler's own interests; often cited as the danger of pure democracies.

despotism

Absolute, unchecked power; a form of government contrasted with tyranny in political philosophy.

Declaration of Independence

The 1776 document proclaiming the colonies' independence, outlining grievances against the British Crown and asserting universal rights.

unanimous declaration

In the Declaration's title, signifying that the thirteen states acted as separate entities agreeing on independence.

Magna Carta

English charter affirming due process and limiting royal power; foundational to rights and the rule of law.

salutary neglect

British policy of lax enforcement in the colonies, allowing self-government to flourish.

taxation without representation

Colonial grievance that Parliament taxed colonies without colonial representation in Parliament.

self-government (colonial context)

Colonies' experience governing themselves prior to independence, reinforced by salutary neglect.

self-government in the Declaration context

The claim that colonies have the right to govern themselves independently based on nature’s law.

consent of the governed (reiterated)

Governments derive powers from the consent of the governed and can be altered or abolished if rights are violated.

ratification

Formal approval by the states of the proposed Constitution, completing the transition from the Articles of Confederation.

federalism

System of government distributing powers between national and state governments; central to the Constitution’s design.