Studied by 1 person
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
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
