world history key terms lesson 1/module1

Government

System for exercising authority

Monarchy

Government controlled by one person

Aristocracy

State rules by the noble class

Oligarchy

Government ruled by a few powerful people

Democracy

Idea that people can govern themselves

Direct democracy

Government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

Republic

Government in which citizens elect the leaders who make government decisions

Senate

Aristocratic branch of Rome’s government

Judaism

Religion of the Israelites

Ten Commandments

Written code of laws

Christianity

Religion founded by Jesus

Islam

Religion based on the teaching of Muhammad

Roman Catholic Church

Church developed from Christianity

Renaissance

Cultural movement that started in Italy in the 1300s and spread throughout Europe

Reformation

Religious reform movement that began in the 16th country

Common law

Body of English law that customs and principles established over time

Magna Carta

document drawn up by nobles in 1215 guaranteeing basic political rights in England

Due process of law

Administration of law in known, orderly ways to protect people’s rights

Parliament

Lawmaking body of England

Divine right

Theory that a monarch’s power came from god

Glorious revolution

Bloodless overthrow of king James II of England and his replacement by William and Mary

Constitutional monarchy

Monarchy in which the rulers power is limited by law

Bill of rights

List of rights and freedoms considered essential to the people

Enlightenment

Intellectual movement that started in Europe

Social contract

Agreement between citizens and the government

Natural rights

Rights all people have

Separation of powers

Division of government into separate branches

Representative government

Government in which citizens elect representatives to make laws

Federal systems

Government in which powers are divided between federal and state governments

United Nations

International organizations established in 1915