Locke, Jefferson, and the Foundations of American Governance

State of Nature

Condition where people are free and equal.

Natural Rights

Rights to life, liberty, and property.

State of War

Conflict arising from rights violations.

Government's Role

Protect rights and prevent conflicts.

Unjustified Slavery

Only permissible as punishment for just war.

Illegitimate Slavery

Includes permanent, hereditary, or voluntary forms.

Property Rights

Individuals own labor and mixed resources.

Limits on Property

Leave enough for others and avoid waste.

Money's Role

Facilitates accumulation without spoilage.

Consent in Society

Formed to escape state of nature's issues.

Overthrowing Tyranny

People can remove oppressive governments.

Explicit Consent

Active agreement to government authority.

Tacit Consent

Acceptance of government via its benefits.

Mayflower Compact

Early self-governance and consent-based rule.

Declaration of Independence

Affirmed rights to revolution against tyranny.

Mixed Constitution

Includes magistrates, senate, and assemblies.

Magistrates

Elected officials enforcing laws for one-year terms.

Senate

Advisory body of patricians with no legislative power.

Assemblies

Voting body of adult male citizens, wealth-biased.

Checks and Balances

System preventing any branch from overpowering others.

Separation of Powers

Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.

Civic Virtue

Moral excellence demonstrated through community service.

Horatius Cocles

Roman hero known for defending a bridge.

Gaius Mucius Scaevola

Roman figure symbolizing bravery against enemies.

American Exceptionalism

Belief in the unique mission of America.

Puritan Work Ethic

Value placed on hard work as divine favor.

Religious Foundation

Community built on strict adherence to religious principles.

Moral Governance

Leadership based on divine laws and ethics.

Congregational Autonomy

Independence of local church governance.

Separation of Church and State

Church and government should influence each other.

Religious Freedom

Right to worship according to personal conscience.

Obedience to God

Prioritizing divine law over earthly authority.

Government's Role

Protecting rights and welfare of the populace.

Tyranny and Resistance

Right to oppose unjust authority.

Albany Plan of Union

1754 proposal for colonial unity and governance.

Colonial Government Structure

Modeled after British governance with local assemblies.

French & Indian War

Conflict increasing colonial taxation post-British victory.

Stamp Act

Tax on paper goods provoking colonial protests.

Quartering Act

Mandated housing of British troops by colonists.

Boston Tea Party

Colonial protest against British tea taxation.

Intolerable Acts

British laws provoking colonial resistance and unrest.

Lexington & Concord

First battles of the American Revolution (1775).

Continental Congress

Coordinated colonial resistance and formed militias.

Articles of Confederation

First governing document with a weak central government.

Shays' Rebellion

1786-87 uprising exposing government's inability to maintain order.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting to revise the Articles of Confederation.

Federalist No. 15

Critique of Articles for national weakness and lack of power.

Taxation without representation

Colonial rallying cry against British taxation policies.

The Great Compromise

Bicameral legislature: Senate and House of Representatives.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Slaves counted as three-fifths for representation and taxation.

Slave Trade Clause

Allowed slave trade until 1808 in the Constitution.

Fugitive Slave Clause

Mandated return of escaped slaves to their owners.

Single President

Executive with strong but limited powers, four-year term.

Federalism

Division of power between state and national governments.

Enumerated powers

Specific powers granted to the federal government.

Reserved powers

Powers not delegated to the federal government, reserved for states.

Ratification

Approval process requiring 9 out of 13 states.

Federalists

Advocates for a strong central government.

Anti-Federalists

Opponents seeking protections for individual rights.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments added to protect individual liberties.

Preamble

Introduction stating goals and authority of the Constitution.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes federal law as supreme over state laws.

Amendment Process

Requires two-thirds proposal and three-fourths ratification.

Popular Sovereignty

Power derived from the consent of the governed.

Republicanism

Elected officials represent the people, avoiding direct democracy.

Checks & Balances

Each branch limits the powers of others.

Separation of Powers

Divides government powers among branches and levels.

Democratic Tensions

Safeguards against majority tyranny, like indirect elections.

Anti-Federalists

Critics opposing the Constitution's centralization of power.

Bill of Rights

First ten amendments protecting individual liberties.

Federal Power

Concentration of authority in the national government.

Executive Power

Presidential authority akin to a monarch's.

Legislative Power

Senate perceived as elitist; House too small.

Judiciary Concerns

Lifetime terms may undermine state courts' authority.

Jury Trial Threats

Absence of civil jury guarantees in trials.

Standing Army

Perceived danger during peacetime, undermines militias.

Unlimited Taxation

Congress's potential for oppressive taxation.

Fear of Aristocracy

Senate's lack of accountability and term limits.

Federalist Papers

Essays defending the Constitution's principles.

Federalist No. 1

Constitution essential for U.S. survival and unity.

Federalist No. 2

Union vital for defense and diplomatic strength.

Federalist No. 6

Warns against state rivalries and internal conflict.

Federalist No. 15

Articles of Confederation ineffective without enforcement.

Federalist No. 23

Strong government necessary for national defense.

Federalist No. 39

Constitution balances national and federal power.

Montesquieu

Philosopher advocating checks and balances in democracy.

Faction

Group with shared interests opposing public good.

Control of Factions

Solutions include managing effects, not causes.

Republic

Representative democracy suited for large territories.

Burke's Patriotism

True loyalty defends civil liberties and law.

Melancton Smith

Critic of elitism in proposed representation system.

Article VII

Outlines the ratification process of the Constitution.

Republicanism

Elected officials represent the people's interests.

Checks & Balances

Each government branch limits the powers of others.

Separation of Powers

Divides government power among branches and levels.

Tyranny of the Majority

Fear that majority may oppress minority rights.

Federalist Papers

Essays defending the Constitution's principles and structure.

Federalist No. 1

Argues Constitution is vital for U.S. survival.

Federalist No. 2

Union is essential for national defense and diplomacy.

Federalist No. 6

Warns against state rivalries and internal conflicts.