Lecture Notes: Early American Government & Enlightenment Thinkers (Pages 1–2)

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering key figures, documents, and concepts from pages 1–2 of the notes.

Great Awakening

A religious revival across the colonies in America during the 1730s–1740s, led by preachers who emphasized Calvinist doctrine and personal faith.

English Bill of Rights

1689 law signed by William III and Mary II that limited the monarchy's powers and established parliamentary supremacy.

Virginia Declaration of Rights

Written by George Mason; adopted on June 12, 1776; served as a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.

Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

1786 law written by Thomas Jefferson and passed by the Virginia General Assembly; guaranteed freedom to practice religion.

George Mason

Virginia statesman who authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights and refused to sign Virginia's Constitution.

Thomas Jefferson

Third President of the United States; author of the Declaration of Independence and the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom.

Government

System used to govern a country, city, or group of people; the United States operates as a democratic-republic.

Magna Carta

1215 English charter signed by King John I under pressure from nobles; established limited royal power and a voice for common people in governance.

Virginia Company of London

A joint-stock company chartered by King James I in 1606 to establish a colony; founded Jamestown in 1607.

John Locke

English philosopher who wrote Two Treatises on Government; promoted the social contract and influenced American revolutionaries and the Declaration of Independence.

Thomas Hobbes

17th-century philosopher known for psychological egoism and the social contract; argued that order and peace come from a strong sovereign.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Enlightenment philosopher who argued that humans are naturally good but corrupted by society; author of The Social Contract.