Ch. 2 Roots of American Democracy

Enlightenment

A movement in the 18th century that advocated the use of reason in the reappraisal of accepted ideas and social institutions. Led to new innovations in political thought

Monarchy

A government ruled by a king or queen

Magna Carta (1215)

First document to limit the powers of the king - signed in 1215.
Citizens could not be deprived of life, liberty or property without a lawful judgment of their peers or by law of the land.
Represented by the fifth amendment.

Legislature

lawmaking body, Parliament in GB, Congress in US

Glorious Revolution (1688)

Bloodless overthrow of King James II. established William and Mary as the new leaders. From that time on, no ruler would have more power than Parliament

English Bill of Rights (1689)

protected the rights of English citizens and became the basis for the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Common Law

(civil law) a law established by following earlier judicial decisions

precedent

a ruling that is used as the basis for a judicial decision in a later, similar case

John Locke

17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.

Natural Rights

the idea that all humans are born with rights, which include the right to life, liberty, and property

Social Contract

an agreement among people in a society with a government. They agree to give up part of their freedom to a government in exchange for protection of natural rights.

Separation of Powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755)

developed the idea of Separation of Powers

colony

A group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country elsewhere.

Jamestown, Virginia

the first permanent English settlement, founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company for economic reasons

joint-stock company

A business, often backed by a government charter, that sold shares to individuals to raise money for its trading enterprises and to spread the risks (and profits) among many investors.

Charter

A document that gives the holder the right to organize settlements in an area

Mayflower Compact (1620)

The first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony.

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

first written constitution in America, called for an assembly of elected representatives from each town to make laws

Proprietary Colony

a colony owned and ruled by one person who was chosen by a king or queen

Royal Colony

colony under the direct control of the English crown

Puritans

A religious group who wanted to purify the Church of England. They came to America for religious freedom and settled Massachusetts Bay.

Pilgrims

a person who journeys to a sacred place for religious reasons.

The Georgia Colony

Founded to create a military barrier between the Spanish owned southern land and the Northern British owned land. It was the last of the original 13 colonies. Inhabited by a large population of debtors and prisoners

Toleration

acceptance of other groups, such as religious groups

Plantation

large estate farmed by many workers

Triangular Trade

A three way system of trade during 1600-1800s Africa sent slaves to America, America sent Raw Materials to Europe, and Europe sent Guns and Rum to Africa

Egalitarianism

A belief in the equality of all people

The Preamble

Introduction to the Declaration of Independence

Declaratory Act (1766)

Passed at the same time that the Stamp Act was repealed, the Act declared that Parliament had the power to tax the colonies both internally and externally, and had absolute power over the colonial legislatures.

Stamp Act of 1765

Placed a tax on almost all printed materials in the colonies

List of Grievances

A list of circumstances that create feelings of resentment because people feel unfairly treated.

Declaration of Natural Rights

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness; in the Declaration of Independence

Resolution of Independence

The colonists declare their independence from Britain

342

Number of Chests dumped into the Ocean during the Boston Tea Party

5

Number of people killed in the Boston Massacre