Types of government
A government in which one person leads and his word is final
Dictatorship
This English document limited the power of the king and influenced American ideas of rights.
Magna Carta
These essays were written to persuade states to ratify the Constitution.
Federalist Papers
This concept means powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people.
Federalism
This branch of government is responsible for making the laws.
Legislative
A government that has a monarchy but also has a constitutions or laws that are sovereign over the monarchy
Constitutional monarchy
The belief that people are born with natural rights like life and liberty comes from this Enlightenment thinker
John Locke
This principle limits what the government can do by clearly listing its powers in a written document.
Limited government
This principle divides government power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
Separation of powers
This two-house lawmaking body is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Congress
A government in which a small group of people leads
Oligarchy
This document declared the American colonies free from British rule in 1776.
The Declaration of Independence
This document became the supreme law of the land in 1789.
The U.S. Constitution
This system allows each branch of government to limit the power of the others.
Checks and balances
This branch of government enforces the laws.
Executive
Government by all of the people (or all of the people who can vote), all of whom take part in passing laws and carrying out other functions of government
Democracy
According to the Declaration of Independence, governments derive their power from this.
The consent of the governed
These first ten amendments protect individual freedoms like speech, religion, and the press.
Bill of Rights
The number of representatives a state has in the House is based on this.
Population
This person serves as the head of the executive branch.
President
A government with elected representatives and no monarch in which the voters have sovereignty
Republic
This first governing document of the United States created a weak central government and gave most power to the states.
The Articles of Confederation
Freedom of speech, religion, and assembly are protected in this amendment.
The First Amendment
This compromise created a two-house legislature with one house based on population and one with equal representation.
The Great Compromise
This branch of government interprets the laws.
Judicial