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Thomas Hobbes

English philosopher who argued in The Leviathan that people are naturally selfish and need a strong central authority to maintain order—his ideas influenced debates on the balance between order and liberty in early U.S. political thought.

The Leviathan

1651 work by Thomas Hobbes describing his social contract theory—people give up certain freedoms to a strong government in exchange for security, a contrast to Locke’s more liberty-focused social contract. Stated that in a “state of nature” rather than in a governed state, the result would be anarchy and war and things would be chaotic.

John Locke

English philosopher who argued for natural rights (life, liberty, property) and that government exists to protect them—his ideas directly influenced the Declaration of Independence.

Second Treatise of Civil Government

John Locke’s work stating that legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed and must protect natural rights—core to the American founding. People are born free and equal and no one can be subjected to political power of another without consent.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

French philosopher who argued that the people form a collective “general will” through a social contract—his ideas inspired more participatory and democratic principles.

The Social Contract

1762 work by Rousseau describing how individuals unite into a political community based on the general will—connects to popular sovereignty in U.S. politics. The people are the ultimate ruling authority and government just there to carry out laws.

Baron de Montesquieu

French political thinker who advocated separation of powers to prevent tyranny—his ideas strongly influenced the U.S. Constitution’s structure.

The Spirit of the Laws

1748 work by Montesquieu explaining the need for dividing government power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches—foundation for checks and balances in the U.S.

Republicanism

Political philosophy emphasizing representative government, civic virtue, and the common good—core to U.S. founding principles and embedded in the Constitution.

Limited government

The principle that government powers are restricted by law (usually in a constitution) to protect individual rights—directly supported by the Bill of Rights.

John Adams

Founding Father, member of the Continental Congress, advocate for independence, and later second U.S. president—helped shape early U.S. republican government.

Declaration of Independence

1776 document, primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, declaring the colonies independent from Britain and stating principles of natural rights and government by consent.

Benjamin Franklin

Founding Father, diplomat, and member of the Constitutional Convention’s Grand Committee—helped broker compromises that shaped the Constitution.

Grand Committee

A group at the Constitutional Convention tasked with resolving disputes between large and small states—produced the Great Compromise on legislative representation.

Alexander Hamilton

Founding Father and Federalist leader who advocated for a strong central government—key author of the Federalist Papers supporting Constitution ratification.

Thomas Jefferson

Primary author of the Declaration of Independence, advocate for limited government and natural rights, later third U.S. president—opposed Hamilton’s strong central government vision.

Natural rights

Philosophical belief that certain rights are inherent and universal, discoverable through reason—forms the foundation of Locke’s natural rights theory.

Popular sovereignty

Principle that government’s authority comes from the consent of the governed—central to the Declaration of Independence and later debates like slavery in new territories.

Representative republic

A system where citizens elect officials to make laws and govern on their behalf—chosen model for the U.S. to balance public input with stability.

Republicanism

(Duplicate term) Political philosophy emphasizing elected representation, civic virtue, and protection of liberty—forms the ideological core of U.S. constitutional design.

U.S. Constitution

The 1787 document establishing America’s national government, fundamental laws, and rights protections—embodies principles like federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

George Washington

Commander of the Continental Army, presiding officer at the Constitutional Convention, and first U.S. president—set precedents for the executive branch and peaceful transfer of power.

Social Contract

An agreement between the people and their government in which people consent to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection of their natural rights. If the government fails to protect those rights, the people have the right to change or overthrow it. In AP Gov Unit 1, this idea—developed by thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau—directly influenced the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.