AP US Government 1.1 vocab

Thomas Hobbes (The Leviathan)

Argued that when humans live in a "state of nature" rather than in a governed state, the result is anarchy and war and that human life is brutal.

John Locke (Second Treatise of Civil Government)

Argued that natural law is the law of God and that under natural law, in a state of nature, people were born free and equal. He reasoned that no one can be governed by another without consent.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau (The Social Contract)

Influenced by Locke. Rejected the divine right of kings to rule. The social contract is described as the agreement of free and equal people to abandon certain natural rights in order to be protected and enjoy other freedoms under a government.

Popular sovereignty

The people are the ultimate ruling authority.

Baron de Montesquieu (The Spirit of the Laws)

Argued for the separation of powers in the government, comprised of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Republicanism

Political ideology centered on the belief that people are entitled to "life, liberty, and property" and that these cannot be taken away except under laws created with the consent of the governed.

How does a republic work?

Citizens elect leaders for a limited period of time, and the leaders' job is to make and execute laws in the public interest.

Limited government

A government kept under control by law, checks, and balances, and separation of powers.

Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin

Authors of the Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence

The document that provided moral and legal justification for the colonies' separation from Great Britain.

James Madison

Named "Father of the Constitution" for his involvement in creating the plan for the new government and his support during the ratification process.

George Washington

First President of the United States.

Alexander Hamilton

Leader of the Federalists.

Grand committee

A committee at the constitutional convention comprised of one delegate from each of the states represented at the convention. Created the compromises needed to work out the many conflicting interests as the new government was created.

Representative republic

A collection of sovereign states gathered for the national interest, national needs, and national defense.

US Constitution

The supreme law and foundational framework of the federal government of the United States. The Constitution starts with The Preamble, which sets the goals and purposes of the government. The Seven Articles are the sections that set up the three branches of government and the federal rules. The Bill of Rights is comprised of the first 10 amendments.