Vocabulary Flashcards: Democracy, Enlightenment, and Independence Documents

A set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering key concepts from Classical Greece through Enlightenment ideas and Independence documents.

Athenian Democracy

The first democracy in history; a direct democracy practiced in Athens, largely elitist with voting limited to landholding male citizens.

Direct democracy

Citizens vote directly on laws and policy issues rather than through representatives.

Landholders

Citizens who owned land; the primary voting group in ancient Athens.

Roman Republic

Ancient Rome’s representative government where citizens elect officials; 'Res Publica' means public affairs.

Res publica

Latin term for public affairs or the state; central to Rome’s government concept.

Magna Carta

The 1215 charter that limited the king’s power, established rule of law, and required consent for taxes.

Nobles

Elite class who opposed King John and protected their privileges; played a key role in limiting royal power.

King John

King of England whose taxation and power struggles led to Magna Carta.

Petition of Right

1628 document extending Magna Carta protections to all subjects and further limited the monarchy.

English Bill of Rights (1689)

Rights such as free elections, speedy trials, no cruel punishment, right to petition, and no taxation without Parliament’s consent.

House of Lords

Upper house of the English Parliament; hereditary nobles and knights.

House of Commons

Lower house of the English Parliament; elected representatives.

Enlightenment

Period (approximately 1685–1815) known as the Age of Reason, emphasizing critical thinking, natural rights, and reform.

Age of Reason

Another name for the Enlightenment.

Natural rights

Inherent rights (e.g., life, liberty, property) that are universal and not granted by laws.

State of nature

A theoretical condition of equality and freedom before government, used to justify natural rights.

Social contract

Idea that people give up some freedoms to government in exchange for protection and order; legitimacy from consent.

Consent of the governed

Legitimacy of government derived from the people’s agreement to its authority.

Hobbes

Thomas Hobbes; believed human society is inherently evil and requires a strong central authority; wrote Leviathan.

Leviathan

Hobbes’s 1651 work arguing for a powerful sovereign to prevent chaos.

Locke

John Locke; argued government by consent, protection of natural rights, and the right to overthrow unjust rulers; influenced Jefferson.

Second Treatise of Government

Locke’s work outlining government by consent and the protection of life, liberty, and property.

Montesquieu

Charles-Louis de Montesquieu; advocated separation of powers and checks and balances.

Spirit of the Laws

Montesquieu’s 1748 treatise promoting separated branches of government.

Rousseau

Jean-Jacques Rousseau; argued sovereignty lies in the general will; wrote The Social Contract.

Social Contract (Rousseau)

Rousseau’s work describing legitimate government as derived from the general will.

General Will

Rousseau’s concept that sovereign power resides in the general will of the people.

Paine

Thomas Paine; advocated republicanism and popular consent; wrote Common Sense.

Common Sense

Paine’s 1776 pamphlet urging American independence and a republican government.

Republicanism

System where political power rests with the people through elected representatives, not a monarch.

Populism

Political approach emphasizing ordinary people over elites and empowering the common people.

Egalitarianism

Belief in equality of all people, with equal rights, opportunities, and resources.

Classical individualism

Emphasizes personal freedom, limited government, and civic responsibility.

Modern individualism

Focus on personal identity and civil liberties, with emphasis on equality and individual rights.

Popular sovereignty

Principle that government authority comes from the consent of the governed.

Limited government

Civil principle that government powers are restricted to protect individual rights.

Rule of law

Idea that laws govern the state; government actions must align with established, written laws.

Unalienable rights

Inherent rights that cannot be taken away (e.g., life, liberty, property).

All men are created equal

Declaration phrase asserting equality of all people and their rights.