Forms of Government
Rule by the people: citizens vote directly or elect representatives.
What is a democracy?
This 1215 document limited the king’s power.
What is the Magna Carta?
Believed in natural rights: life, liberty, and property.
Who is John Locke?
No one, not even the ruler, is above the law.
What is Rule of Law?
Which form of democracy gives citizens the most control?
What is a direct democracy?
A government ruled by a king or queen.
What is a monarchy?
First self-governing agreement among the Pilgrims.
What is the Mayflower Compact?
Promoted separation of powers in government.
Who is Montesquieu?
Power of government is restricted by laws or a constitution.
What is Limited Government?
How is an oligarchy different from an aristocracy?
What is oligarchy = power by few elites; aristocracy = power by noble families?
A government ruled by a small, elite, powerful group.
What is an oligarchy?
Guaranteed free speech and protection from cruel punishment.
What is the English Bill of Rights?
Supported freedom of speech and religion.
Who is Voltaire?
The people are the source of government power.
What is Self-Government?
Which document first limited the English king’s power?
What is the Magna Carta?
A government ruled by religious leaders under divine law.
What is a theocracy?
This 1776 pamphlet encouraged independence from Britain.
What is Common Sense by Thomas Paine?
Believed humans are selfish and need a strong ruler.
Who is Thomas Hobbes?
Government must treat citizens fairly under the law.
What is Due Process?
Which Enlightenment thinker influenced the Bill of Rights’ freedoms?
Who is Voltaire?
Name a country for both of these forms of Gov. - absolute & constitutional monarchy
Saudi Arabia (absolute), UK (constitutional)
This pair of British writers authored Cato’s Letters in the 1720s, a series of essays warning against tyranny and corruption. (thier names)
Who is Cato the elder and Cato the younger
In A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, this Enlightenment philosopher claimed that denying education to women weakened both society and moral virtue.
Who is Mary Wollstonecraft?
This principle is shown when the government cannot search your home without a warrant
What is limited government?
Drawing from his Second Treatise of Civil Government, this philosopher argued that sovereignty resides in the people and that when rulers violate the law of nature—thereby breaking the social contract—citizens not only possess a right but a moral obligation to revolt, a radical departure from Hobbesian absolutism that later echoed in Jefferson’s revolutionary rhetoric.
Who is John Locke?