Foundational Documents and Principles of American Government Vocabulary

Vocabulary study cards covering core key terms, Federalist and Anti-Federalist papers, and constitutional principles based on the provided lecture notes.

Declaration of Independence

Founding government document declaring independence from GB.

Despotism

A system of government in which the absolute authority is within one person's hands, authority which is misused against the people those hands are intended to protect.

Tyranny

The oppressive use of power.

Right to Life

One of our inalienable rights proclaiming all guaranteed life. This right proved British tyranny because the British refused to punish officers who killed colonists.

Right to Liberty

An inalienable right proclaiming all have freedom of action. This proved British tyranny through impressment (conscription).

Pursuit of Happiness

An inalienable right proclaiming all may strive for the betterment of themselves and society. This right brought criticism of British taxation and trade barriers.

Equality

The idea that all should have the same standing. Political differences about this term focus on equality under the law vs. Equality of outcomes.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document under which the United States operated. However, it was too weak and did not offer enough centralized power to the government to impose taxes, make decisions, etc., causing the need for a new Constitution.

Legitimacy

The legal right to rule / the legal power to rule. Legitimacy is important for any country to function, as without it people question the power which they are supposed to obey. The legal basis/reasoning and authority to call the shots.

Sovereignty

The ability to rule and cause the shots. A modern geopolitical example is Yemen, in which the Houthis Rebels have sovereignty as they have power over the government.

Authority

The right to rule regardless of legal basis. Since the Articles were questioned, it had no authority despite having legal legitimacy.

Shay's Rebellion

A rebellion in Western Massachusetts about taxation and foreclosure of property. Because the national government struggled to squash the rebellion, people realized the Articles of Confederation needed to be changed.

Centinel No. 1

An Anti-Federalist work asking how an input of self interest can result in a largely beneficial outcome, and arguing that checks and balances will take powers away from the people.

Fallacies of the Freeman according to a [Pennsylvania] Farmer

An Antifederalist piece that argues the government is consolidating power, citing the necessary and proper clause, taxation, and the fact that senators have the power to do what they want following election.

Federalism

Division of powers between national and state government.

Federalist 10

Written by James Madison, noting the dilemma that the government needs to meet to prevent tyranny from the majority while meeting the needs of the people.

Federalist 45

Written by James Madison, a federalist paper describing the concept of federalism where the people have rights and the government has powers; powers can be taken away, whereas rights are more inherent.

Federalist 51

Articulates the concept of separations of powers and checks and balances.

Brutus No. 1

An Antifederalist paper arguing the Necessary and Proper clause gives the federal government too much ambiguous power for the people and state power to challenge.

The Constitution

The document giving legitimacy to the United States government by defining its powers, duties, and functions. This document continues to be the guide for government action.

Amendments

Changes made to the Constitution. These changes allow for the Constitution to be more responsive and representative of American society as it continues to change over time.