Ancient Influences
Montesquieu
Locke
Historic Documents
Founding Principles
100

"Government Ruled by the people" that the U.S. got from ancient Greece

Democracy

100

The idea that government power should be divided so no person or group becomes too powerful

Separation of Powers

100

Locke's 3 examples of natural rights 

Life, liberty, and property

100

The 1215 document that first set up limited government by limiting the power of King John I

Magna Carta

100

All people are born equal

Equality of Mankind

200

The ancient civilization that the U.S. got the idea of representative government (also called republicanism) from.

Ancient Rome

200

The idea that each branch of government should be given tools to block the other branches from becoming too powerful (or doing things the first branch dislikes)

Checks and Balances

200

Locke wrote that natural rights come from _______

Birth/Nature/God

200

The document that made a list of individual rights

English Bill of Rights

200

The Pilgrims/Separatists came to America on the Mayflower for this founding idea or principle

Religious Liberty or freedom

300

This key term from the Judeo-Christian tradition means having laws based on morality/right and wrong.

Ethical Ideas of Justice or justice

300

Montesquieu's idea of separation of powers also came from which ancient civilization?

Rome

300

Locke's term for the agreement between people and their government 

Social Contract

300

The document that argued America should become an independent country

Common Sense

300

Keeping the power of government under control usually through a constitution

Limited Government

400

An ancient Greek city-state that governed itself

polis

400

The U.S. has 3 branches of government because of this idea from Montesquieu

Separation of Powers

400

Under the social contract, people _________ in exchange for the government protecting their natural rights.

Give power to the government

400

The document most closely associated with the principle of self-government

Mayflower Compact

400

People are born with these certain rights that cannot be taken away, including life, liberty, and the right to own property 

Natural Rights

500

The idea from ancient Rome and the Judeo-Christian tradition that laws should be written down and all people should follow the law

Rule of Law

500

The historical period when philosophers applied ideas from science, like logic and reason, to trying to create better governments and societies.  

The Enlightenment

500

Under the social contract, if the government misues its power, then the people can (and should) __________

Change or replace the government

500

Vocabulary word meaning "communication that is meant to persuade"

Propaganda

500

Everyone must obey the laws, including the leaders

Rule of Law

600

The two ancient civilizations that gave the U.S. the value of civic participation

Greece and Rome

600

The three branches of government that Montesquieu wrote about and that we have in the U.S. government today

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

600

This idea is part of the social contract and means that people give power to the government through their approval/agreement

Consent of the governed

600

This document was influenced by John Locke and included protection for life, liberty, and property in its list of individual rights 

English Bill of Rights

600

If you are accused of a crime, the government must give you a fair trial with correct legal procedures

Due Process of Law