Foundations of political government and articles of federation

Functions of Government

The three functions of government are: 1. Legislative - makes the laws, 2. Executive - enforces the laws, 3. Judicial - determines the fairness of laws.

Republican Government

A system where the power of government is held by the people, who elect representatives to serve their interests.

Representatives

Individuals elected to act on behalf of others in a government.

Common Welfare

When a government aims to benefit all citizens rather than a select few.

Civic Virtue

The dedication to helping others and promoting the common welfare within a community.

Social Contract

An agreement among individuals to form a government, giving up some rights for protection and security.

Natural Rights

Basic or fundamental human rights, including life, liberty, and property.

Articles of Confederation

The first constitution of the United States, establishing a weak national government and strong state governments.

Bicameral

A legislative body composed of two houses.

Confederation

A loose alliance of states that maintain their independence.

Shays’ Rebellion

An armed uprising in 1787 led by farmers to protest against economic injustices and government actions.

Land Ordinance of 1785

Law that divided western land and raised taxes for public schools.

Northwest Ordinance

Established procedures for admitting new states and banned slavery in the Northwest Territory.

Declaration of Independence

A document asserting the independence of the colonies from British rule, adopted on July 4, 1776.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

Bill of Rights

A formal declaration of the legal and civil rights of the citizens of a country, protecting individual freedoms.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with the means to limit the powers of the others.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Democracy

A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

Due Process

Legal principle that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, ensuring fair treatment through the normal judicial system.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state.

Constitutional Convention

A meeting in 1787 where the U.S. Constitution was created, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

Ratification

The official approval of the U.S. Constitution by the states after it was drafted in 1787.

Electoral College

The body of representatives established by the Constitution, responsible for formally electing the President and Vice President of the United States.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to evaluate the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution, requiring approval by a two-thirds majority in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Majority Rule

The principle that the majority of the members of a community has the power to make decisions binding upon the whole.

Minority Rights

The normal individual rights as applied to members of racial, ethnic, class, or religious minority groups.

Political Party

An organized group of people who share similar political beliefs and work together to influence government policy and decision-making.

Civil Rights

The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

Veto Power

The authority of an official to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.

Inalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away or denied, often life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Separation of Church and State

The principle that government must maintain an attitude of neutrality toward religion.