U.S. Government Foundations: Declaration, Constitution, and Principles

Declaration of Independence

An official statement explaining why the American colonies wanted independence from Great Britain.

Purpose of the Declaration of Independence

To justify the colonies breaking away from Great Britain and explain their reasons for independence.

Constitution

The document that established the U.S. government and replaced the Articles of Confederation.

Philadelphia Convention

The meeting where the Constitution was drafted.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, which was replaced by the Constitution.

Federalism

A system that divides power between the national government and state governments.

Three Branches of Government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Legislative Branch

The branch that makes laws.

Executive Branch

The branch that enforces laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch that interprets laws.

National Supremacy

The principle that federal law takes priority when federal and state laws conflict.

Amendment

A formal change or addition to the Constitution.

Social Contract

The relationship or mutual agreement between the people and their government.

Purpose of the Social Contract

To balance individual rights with the government's need to maintain order and safety.

John Locke

An Enlightenment philosopher whose ideas influenced American democracy.

Natural Rights

Rights that people are born with and that cannot legitimately be taken away by government.

Natural Law

The belief that people are naturally born free and equal and have certain basic rights.

Locke's Natural Rights

Life, liberty, and property.

Declaration's Natural Rights

Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the people are the ultimate source of political power.

Consent of the Governed

The idea that government gets its power from the people's consent.

Republicanism

A system in which people exercise political power through elected representatives.

Elected Representatives

People chosen by citizens to make decisions and create laws on their behalf.

Popular Sovereignty vs. Republicanism

Popular sovereignty means the people have the power; republicanism means they exercise that power through elected representatives.