AP Government Intro Vocab

Divine right

that authority derives from a divine source, like God

Social Contract

that people give up some of their freedoms to the government in exchange for rights & safety

Dictatorship/totalitarian

a single ruler with no checks on the ruler and no opposition

Monarchy

ruelr usually appointed by hereditary

Oligarchy

a small select group of people, like the rich or philosophers

Direct Democracy

power is held by the people

Republic/representative democracy

government where citizens vote for leaders, usually through elections

Rule of Law

that everyone must follow the law, even government leaders

Majority rule

the side with more than half the votes makes the decision

Minority rights

protections and freedoms given to smaller groups of people

Limited government

the government’s powers are restricted by laws or a constitution

Popular sovereignty

the people are the ultimate source of government power

John Locke

philosopher who greatly influenced modern democracy/ government ideas. Ideas inclide natural rights, social contract, limited government

Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

a pamphlet published in 1776 that argued American colonies should break from British rule

Stamp Act

law passed by British Parliament where colonists were taxed on paper goods and legal documents.

Articles of Confederation

the first written plan of government for the United States which failed

Shays’ Rebellion

an armed uprising in 1786-1787 by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices and the lack of governmental response.

Virginia Plan

a proposal at the Constitutional Convention that suggested a strong national government with three branches and representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

a proposal at the Constitutional Convention that suggested a strong national government but with equal representation for every state

Great Compromise

agreement made at the Constitutional Convention that settled how states would be represented in Congress

Bicameral Legislature

a lawmaking body with two separate chambers/houses

3/5ths Compromise

an agreement from the Constitutional Convention how enslaved people would be counted when determining a state population

Bill of Rights

the first 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution to protect individual freedoms and limited government power