Enlightenment Thinkers
This English philosopher believed that all humans are born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property.
Who was John Locke?
Signed by King John in 1215, this document established that the king was not above the law and recognized citizens' rights.
What is the Magna Carta?
Primary author of the Declaration of Independence who incorporated John Locke’s ideas about natural rights into the document.
Who was Thomas Jefferson?
This ancient Greek city-state developed the world’s first direct democracy, deeply influencing American government ideals.
What is Athens?
This French thinker proposed dividing government power into three separate branches to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Who was Baron de Montesquieu?
Written by Thomas Jefferson, this law established religious freedom in Virginia and was a model for the 1st Amendment.
What is the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom?
This 1620 agreement was written by the Pilgrims to establish a self-governing colonial community before landing in Plymouth.
What is the Mayflower Compact?
Ancient Rome established this system of government where citizens elect leaders to make laws and rule on their behalf.
Answer: What is a Republic (or Representative Democracy)?
He wrote The Social Contract and believed that legitimate government comes from the agreement and consent of the people.
Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau?
Authored by George Mason, this landmark document outlined basic individual rights and directly influenced the U.S. Bill of Rights.
What is the Virginia Declaration of Rights?
The primary reason the Pilgrims drafted the Mayflower Compact instead of relying on British law alone.
What was to establish an orderly community and self-government?
The key structural difference between a direct democracy like Athens and a republic like Rome.
What is that citizens vote directly on laws in a direct democracy, whereas citizens elect representatives in a republic?
This English philosopher believed human nature was chaotic and that a strong central ruler was needed to maintain order.
Who was Thomas Hobbes?
Published in 1776 by Thomas Paine, this famous pamphlet persuaded many American colonists to support independence from Great Britain.
What is Common Sense?
The section of the Declaration of Independence that explains why the document was created and states core political philosophy.
What is the Preamble (or Statement of Belief)?
The core principle from classical antiquity and the Magna Carta asserting that no ruler or government is above the law.
What is the Rule of Law?
This term describes the unwritten agreement where citizens give up some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection and order.
What is the Social Contract?
In the Declaration of Independence, this specific section outlines complaints against King George III.
What is the List of Grievances?
The Enlightenment term modified in the Declaration of Independence from "property" to "the pursuit of Happiness."
What are Natural Rights?
The governing body in ancient Rome whose elected members inspired the legislative body of this modern U.S. government. (Hint: even the name is the same)
What is the Senate?