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Free Enterprise
An economic system where private businesses operate in competition and largely free of state control.
Divine Right
The doctrine that kings and queens have a God-given right to rule and that rebellion against them is a sin.
Evolutionary Theory
The theory that the state evolved from the family, with clans and tribes organizing over time into larger, more complex forms of government.
John Locke
An Enlightenment thinker who believed in natural rights (life, liberty, and property) and that governments exist to protect these rights.
Anarchy
The absence of any form of government or political authority.
Dictatorship
A form of government where one person or a small group wields absolute power without effective constitutional limitations.
Monarchy
A government ruled by a king or queen, where the position is often inherited.
Oligarchy
A form of government where a small group of people hold all the power, often based on wealth, family ties, or military control.
Fascism
A far-right, authoritarian government system that prioritizes the nation or race above individuals and often involves dictatorial power and oppression.
Totalitarianism
A system where the government controls nearly every aspect of public and private life.
Democracy
A system of government where the people have the power to make decisions directly or through elected representatives.
Republic/Representative Government
A type of democracy where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, bound by a constitution or legal framework.
Capitalism
An economic system where trade, industry, and production are privately owned and operated for profit.
Communism
A political and economic system where the government owns all property and resources, aiming for a classless society.
Socialism
An economic system where the government or the community as a whole owns and controls major industries while allowing private ownership in smaller sectors.
Unalienable Rights
Fundamental rights that cannot be taken away or denied, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
Due Process
The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, ensuring fair treatment in the judicial process.
New Jersey Plan
A proposal for equal representation in Congress regardless of state size, favoring small states.
Virginia Plan
A proposal for representation based on population, favoring larger states.
Slavery in America
Slavery arrived in America in 1619 when enslaved Africans were brought to Jamestown. It officially ended with the passage of the 13th Amendment in 1865.
Magna Carta
A 1215 document that limited the powers of the king and established the principle of the rule of law.
Intolerable Acts
A series of punitive laws passed by Britain in 1774 to punish the colonies for the Boston Tea Party.
Articles of Confederation
The first constitution of the U.S., which established a weak central government and was replaced by the current Constitution in 1789.
Constitutional Convention (1787)
The meeting in Philadelphia where delegates drafted the U.S. Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.
Rule of Law
The principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to the law, which is fairly applied and enforced.
Treaty
A formal agreement between two or more nations.
Judicial Review
The power of the courts to declare laws or executive actions unconstitutional.
House of Representatives
435 members based on state population; serve 2-year terms.
Senate
100 members (2 per state); serve 6-year terms.
Impeachment
The process by which a government official is charged with misconduct.
Perjury
Lying under oath.
Cerritos Representative
Derek Tran
Congress’s General Power
Create laws, regulate commerce, declare war, and control the budget.
Judicial Branch’s General Power
Interpret laws, adjudicate disputes, and ensure justice is administered fairly. It includes the authority to review the constitutionality of laws and executive actions.
Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments)
The first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing individual rights and freedoms.
13th Amendment
Abolished slavery in the U.S.
14th Amendment
Granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. and guaranteed equal protection under the law.
19th Amendment
Granted women the right to vote.
number of Supreme Court Justices
There are 9 justices on the Supreme Court.
Court-Martial
A military court for trying members of the armed forces.
Plaintiff
The person who brings a case to court.
Defendant
The person or entity being accused or sued in court.
Federalist
A member of a political group that advocated for a strong national government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Anti-Federalist
A member of a political group that opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, advocating for stronger state governments and individual rights.
President’s General Powers
The broad authority granted to the President of the United States to enforce laws, conduct foreign affairs, and oversee the executive branch.
Vice President’s General Powers
The Vice President serves as the second-highest executive officer of the United States, primarily assisting the President, presiding over the Senate, and assuming the presidency in case of vacancy.
