Founding Documents of American Government Vocabulary

affirm

State as a fact; assert strongly and publicly

charter

Government document granting land and authority to set up a colony

confederation

A group of individuals or state governments

Popular Soverignty / consent of the governed

Citizens give authority to the government in exchange for the protection of their rights

constitution

A written plan of government

Republicanism

the belief that people and their leaders must follow the Constitution

grievance

A complaint or protest due to unfair treatment

independence

Freedom from the control of others

limited government

Government is not all-powerful; it may only do those things people have given it the power to do

representative government

People elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people's behalf

reside

To be given as a power or right

rule of law

Everyone, including government officials must follow the law

statute

A law written by a legislative branch

unalienable rights

Freedoms that everyone is born with and cannot be taken away

principle

Truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior

Magna Carta

Great Charter. The first time limits were placed on a King (rule of law). Included Due Process and Jury trials

Charters of Virginia Company of London

Gave colonists the same rights as a person born in England

Virginia Declaration of Rights

Virginia did it first! This became the basis for the Bill of Rights. It guarenteed human rights.

Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom

Separation of Church and State. This statute gave Virginians religious freedom. Became the basis for your 1st Amendment rights.

Articles of Confederation

America's first written constitution; served as the basis for America's national government until 1789

Articles of Confederation weaknesses

•weak federal government (central gov.)

•no power to tax

•could not regulate trade

•no supreme court or president

Common Law

a system of creating laws based on court decisions (precedent) and customs rather than laws written by a legislature