gov vocab

Intro

Divine Right

you get to be king because God lets you be king example: king david, pharaoh of egypt

Social Contract

giving up our freedom so we don’t go crazy example:TSA

Dictatorship/totalitarian 

characteristics of a single ruler who wields absolute power over the state example: nazi germany

Monarchy 

a form of government where a single person, the monarch, rules the state, often as a hereditary leader example: the royal family of england

Oligarchy 

a system of government where power rests with a small group of people example:the rich or the enlightened

Direct democracy 

power held by the people example: california, ancient athens

Republic/representative democracy 

political power influenced by leaders, policies, voters elect reps example: the united states

Rule of law 

principle where people are accountable to laws that are enforced example: protection of rights gavin newsom

Majority rule 

the opinions of the majority that have more influence with government example: pizza question

Minority rights 

protection for those who are not part of the majority example: religious groups

Limited government 

a government that is legally restricted in its use of power example: puts limits on federal government

Popular sovereignty

the principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives example: power to the people

John Locke 

father of liberalism, created natural rights - life, liberty, and property example: natural law

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense 

pamphlet written to advocate independence from Great Britain to people in the Thirteen Colonies example: social contract

Stamp Act 

act of parliament of great britian which imposed a direct tax example: taxation without representation

Articles of Confederation 

original constitution then ratified in 1781 example: balance the sovereignty of the states

Shays’ Rebellion 

armed uprising in massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and economic hardship following the revolutionary war example:reform

Virginia Plan 

a proposal for a strong national government with three branches and two houses example: large state plan

New Jersey Plan 

a proposal for the structure of the U.S. federal government presented at the constitutional convention of 1787 by william paterson example: senate granted equal votes

Great Compromise 

connecticut compromise, an agreement that defined the structure of the United States Congress example: created HOR

Bicameral legislature 

two house legislature, two chambers or houses example: bi - cycle two wheels

3/5 Compromise

an agreement where enslaved people were counted as three-fifths of a person for purposes of taxation and representation example: 1787

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution example: freedom of speech,bear arms,etc.