civics unit 1

separation of powers

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

checks and balances

used to keep the government from getting too powerful in one branch

natural rights

Life, Liberty, and Property

Inalienable Rights

Found in the Declaration of Independence. Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

social contract

An agreement between the people and their government signifying their consent to be governed

separation of church and state

the division between religion and government

republic

A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws. origin- rome

democracy

everyone gets a vote origin- greece

rule of law

everyone is equal under the law

self-government

The right of people to rule themselves independently

representative assembly

A legislative composed of individuals who represent the population

mayflower compact

the first governing document of Plymouth Colony

No taxation without representation

Colonists did not want to be taxed if they did not have a representative in Britain's Parliament.

thomas paine

Author of Common Sense

common sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that claimed the colonies had a right to be an independent nation

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson
Lists colonial grievances against King George
Justifies the colonies breaking away from England

Saltuary Neglect

How the British allowed the colonies to govern themselves.

Montesquieu

separation of powers

Rousseau

social contract

john locke

life, liberty, and property

Voltaire

separation of church and state

magna carta

a charter of liberties (freedoms) that King John "Lackland" of Englad was forced to sign; it made the king obey the same laws as the citizens of his kingdom

city upon a hill

name for Mass. Bay Colony coined by Winthrop to describe how their colony should serve as a model of excellence for future generations

southern colonies

Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia

middle colonies

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware

new england colonies

Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire

town meetings

meeting in colonial New England where settlers discussed and voted on issues

the french and Indian war

war over ohio river valley, GB wins war, 2x GB national debt

stamp act

tax on papered goods

Intorable Acts

closed british harbor, town meetings canceled, all crimes tried in GB

stamp act congress

held in New York, agreed to not import British goods until Stamp Act was repealed

the treaty of paris

officially ended the revolutionary war

valley forge

Continental Army's camp during the winter of 1777-1778