U.S. Government Chapter 2 : Founding Documents, Rights, and Enlightenment Ideas

Magna Carta

A charter agreed to in 1215 that limited the powers of the king and established certain legal rights for subjects.

Due Process

The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person, ensuring fair treatment through the judicial system.

Mayflower Compact

An agreement made in 1620 by the Pilgrims establishing a framework for self-governance in the New World.

Consent of the governed

The principle that a government's legitimacy and moral right to use state power is justified and lawful only when derived from the consent of the people.

English Bill of Rights

A 1689 act that limited the powers of the monarchy and outlined the rights of Parliament and individuals.

Thomas Paine

An influential writer and political activist known for his works such as 'Common Sense' that advocated for American independence.

Common Sense

A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776 that argued for independence from Great Britain and the establishment of a democratic republic.

Enlightenment Ideas

Philosophical concepts from the Enlightenment era that emphasized reason, individualism, and skepticism of traditional authority.

John Locke

A 17th-century English philosopher whose ideas about government and natural rights influenced the development of liberal democracy.

Natural Law

A philosophy asserting that certain rights or values are inherent in human nature and can be understood through reason.

Social Contract

A theory that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to form a society and abide by its rules in exchange for protection of their rights.

Montesquieu

An Enlightenment thinker known for his theory of the separation of powers, which influenced modern democratic governance.

Separation of Powers

A model of governance where the state's powers are divided into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Limited Government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by law, typically through a constitution.

Natural Rights

Rights that are considered inherent and universal, such as life, liberty, and property, which cannot be surrendered or transferred.

Rule of Law

The principle that all individuals and institutions are accountable to the law, which is fairly applied and enforced.

Founding Documents

Key texts that outline the principles and framework of governance for a nation, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.