Vocabulary
This term describes rights that cannot be taken away by government, such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
What are unalienable rights?
This term describes a government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.
What is republicanism?
This English philosopher wrote about natural rights and argued that governments exist to protect life, liberty, and property.
Who is John Locke?
This Founding Father was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence.
Who is Thomas Jefferson?
This Massachusetts Founding Father became the second President of the United States.
Who is John Adams
This political theory holds that governments derive their authority from an agreement among the people.
What is social contract theory?
This system divides power between national and state governments.
What is federalism?
This French philosopher championed the separation of powers into three branches of government.
Who is Charles de Montesquieu?
Known as the "Father of the Constitution," this Virginian was instrumental in drafting the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
Who is James Madison
This Connecticut delegate was known as the architect of the Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention.
Who is Roger Sherman
This principle states that political power ultimately rests with the people.
What is popular sovereignty?
This principle ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the others.
What are checks and balances?
This tradition emphasizes biblical law and moral principles that influenced American founding principles.
What is Judeo-Christian tradition?
This Founding Father co-authored The Federalist Papers and became the first Secretary of the Treasury.
Who is Alexander Hamilton
This Pennsylvania delegate signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and was a key legal scholar.
Who is James Wilson
This concept refers to the idea that monarchs receive their authority directly from God.
What is the divine right of kings?
This principle divides government responsibilities among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
What is separation of powers?
This Enlightenment concept refers to moral principles discoverable through reason, often called "the laws of nature and nature's God."
What is natural law?
This Virginia delegate refused to sign the Constitution because it lacked a bill of rights, but his objections led to the first ten amendments.
Who is George Mason
This group of essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay defended the Constitution during ratification debates.
What are the Federalist Papers
This is the right of the people to overthrow a government that no longer serves their interests.
What is the right of resistance to illegitimate government?
This concept restricts government power to only those authorities granted by the Constitution.
What is limited government?
This English legal tradition emphasized precedent, individual rights, and limited government, influencing the American founders.
What is English common law and constitutionalism?
This Founding Father from New York co-wrote The Federalist Papers with Hamilton and Madison and later became the first Chief Justice.
Who is John Jay
These debates and compromises at the Constitutional Convention addressed issues like representation and slavery, shaping the founding documents.
What are the Constitutional Convention debates (or the Great Compromise, Three-Fifths Compromise, etc.)?