Foundations of Democracy

Tyranny

cruel and unjust use of power

Charter

A document that gives the holder the right to create a Government in an area

Legislature

A group of people who have the power to make laws

Separation of Powers

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

compact

an agreement, or contract, among a group of people

Constitution

A written plan of government

Ratification

Formal approval of a document

Republic

a government in which citizens elect representatives to rule in their name

heritage

the traditions passed down to us from generation to generation

Direct Democracy

Ancient Athens- A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

Magna Carta

the royal charter of political rights given to rebellious English barons by King John in 1215. First document of its kind to limit the powers of the King.

House of Burgesses

1619 - The Virginia House of Burgesses formed, the first legislative body in colonial America. Later other colonies would adopt houses of burgesses.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Baron de Montesquieu

believed government should have separation of powers

John Locke

English philosopher who argued that people have natural rights

English Bill of Rights

document that gave England a government based on a system of laws and a freely elected parliament