Influences on America’s Constitutional Republic (CG.1.1)
This ancient civilization gave us the idea of direct democracy, where citizens voted on laws themselves.
ancient Greece
This 1215 document was the first to limit a king’s power and gave people the right to a fair trial.
Magna Carta
This English philosopher believed people are born with natural rights like life, liberty, and property.
John Locke
This document, written in 1776, announced the colonies' separation from Britain and explained the ideas of freedom and government by the people.
Declaration of Independence
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress couldn’t do this, so the government had no money to pay debts or fund an army.
tax
This idea from ancient Rome means that everyone must follow the law, even government leaders.
rule of law
Signed by the Pilgrims in 1620, this agreement introduced the idea of self-government and laws made by the people.
Mayflower Compact
This Enlightenment idea says government power should be split between different branches.
separation of powers
The Declaration says government gets its power from this group.
the people (or the consent of governed)
The Articles of Confederation had no executive branch, meaning there was no one to do this.
enforce the laws
Ancient Rome used this kind of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.
republic
This English document said the king couldn’t raise taxes without Parliament’s approval and protected the right to a fair trial.
English Bill of Rights
According to this Enlightenment idea, people agree to create a government to protect their rights—and can change it if it fails.
social contract
One grievance in the Declaration was that the king imposed these without the consent of the colonists.
taxes
This meeting in 1787 was where leaders decided to replace the Articles with a new Constitution.
Constitutional Convention
This Greek idea meant that citizens should be involved in their government by voting, debating, or holding office.
civic participation
This pamphlet by Thomas Paine helped convince colonists that they should break away from British rule.
Common Sense
His ideas about dividing government power influenced the three branches of the U.S. government.
Montesquieu
This Enlightenment idea says people agree to create a government to protect their rights, and they can change it if it fails.
social contract
To change the Articles, this many states had to agree.
all 13 states (or unanimous consent)
This document, inspired by ancient Greek and Roman ideas, outlines the structure and limits of the U.S. government.
The idea that government gets its power from the people and not a king is known as this.
Consent of the governed
Thomas Jefferson’s phrase “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” was inspired by this Enlightenment idea.
natural rights
According to the Declaration of Independence, these rights—like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—belong to all people and can’t be taken away.
unalienable rights
This rebellion by angry farmers in Massachusetts showed that the national government was too weak to keep order.
Shays’ Rebellion