Forms of Gov.
Enlightenment thinkers
Founding Documents
Road to Revolution
Early American Government
100

In this ancient Greek system of government, citizens hold power directly or through representatives, guided by the principle that "the people rule". What type of government is this?

Democracy

100

In this ancient Greek system of government, citizens hold power directly or through representatives, guided by the principle that "the people rule".

Democracy

100

Signed in 1215, this English charter was the first document to place legal limits on the power of the king.What is this called?

Magna Carta

100

These 1660s laws forced the American colonies to send trade goods exclusively to Great Britain rather than other foreign nations.What is this called?

Navigation Acts

100

Established in Virginia in 1619, this assembly was the first representative democratic legislature in the American colonies.What is this called?

House of Burgesses

200

This term describes a situation where no government exists, often occurring after a ruling power is destroyed during a revolution. What kind of Government is this?

Anarchy

200

This English philosopher argued that all human beings are born with natural rights, specifically life, liberty, and property.


John Locke

200

Adopted on July 4, 1776, this document formally stated that the American colonies were breaking away from British rule.What is this called?

Declaration of Independence

200

This British policy relaxed strict control over the colonies from 1690 to 1760, allowing them to practice self-government and build a distinct identity.What is this called?

Salutary neglect

200

This 1787 law established a step-by-step legal process for admitting new states to the Union from the Northwest Territory.What is this called?

Northwest Ordinance

300

In this form of government, the state owns and controls most businesses and farms while providing services like healthcare, but citizens have very few personal rights. What type of goverment is this?

Communism

300

In his book Leviathan, this political thinker argued that humans are naturally selfish and require an absolute monarch to maintain order.

Thomas Hobbes

300

Written in 1620 aboard a ship, this agreement created the first direct democracy in the colonies, using simple majority rule to make laws.What is this called?

Mayflower Compact

300

This 1773 Boston event, where colonists dumped tea into the harbor to protest taxes, prompted Britain to pass the Coercive (Intolerable) Acts.What is this called?

Boston Tea Party

300

Serving as America's weak first national government, this plan lacked an executive branch, a court system, and the authority to collect taxes.What is this called?

Articles of Confederation

400

This type of government is led by a figure who serves as both the political ruler and the religious leader, as seen in ancient Egypt. What type of Goverment is this?

Theocracy

400

This Italian philosopher criticized judicial abuse and argued that torture, secret trials, and cruel punishments should be abolished.

Cesare Beccaria

400

Written in 1639, this document established a voter-elected government in Connecticut and is considered the first written constitution in American history.What is this called?

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

400

Drafted by Benjamin Franklin in 1754, this rejected proposal aimed to unite all 13 colonies under a single local government for defense.What is this called?

Albany Plan of Union

400

Passed to raise money without direct taxation, this 1785 ordinance divided western territory into six-mile townships to sell off the land.What is this called?

Land Ordinance of 1785

500

Originating from a phrase meaning 'ruled by the few,' this government system is controlled by a small group of powerful leaders.

Oligarchy

500

To prevent any single ruler from gaining total power, this thinker proposed dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Montesquieu

500

Passed in 1689, this English document protected free speech for lawmakers, required free parliamentary elections, and prohibited cruel punishments.What is this called?

 English Bill of Rights

500

Adopted in February 1776, these North Carolina resolutions were the first formal recommendation by any colony to declare total independence.What is this called?

Halifax Resolves

500

Added in 1791, these first ten constitutional amendments were demanded by Anti-Federalists to protect individual rights. What is this called?

Bill of Rights