consent of the governed: an agreement made by the people to establish a government and abide by its laws
Enlightenment: a period in European history when many educated people stressed the importance of learning and reasoning; education was considered the key to understanding and solving society’s problems
individual liberty: a person’s ability to be free and independent
influence: having an effect or impact on the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of another or others
natural law: laws passed by government to protect natural rights
natural rights: the belief that individuals are born with basic rights that cannot be taken away by governments; life, liberty, and property
social contract: an implied agreement among the people of an organized society that defines the rights, duties, and limitations of the governed and the government
SS.7.C.1.7
checks and balances: a principle of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches
constitutional government: a form of government based on a written set of laws that all citizens agree to; in this form of government, the constitution is the highest law of the land
judicial review: the power of the judicial branch to review the actions of the executive and legislative branches and determine whether or not they are unconstitutional (this includes laws passed by Congress); the U.S. Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison established this power
Marbury v. Madison: U.S. Supreme Court case that established judicial review
separation of powers: the structure of the federal government, according to the U.S. Constitution, that sets up three branches with their own distinct powers and responsibilities
SS.7.C.1.2
Common Sense: a pamphlet published by Thomas Paine in 1776 to convince the American colonists to support becoming independent from England
compact: an official agreement made by two or more parties due process noun the right of people accused of crimes to have laws that treat them fairly, so that they cannot lose their life or freedom without having their legal rights protected
English Bill of Rights: a government document that expanded the powers of the English Parliament and expanded the rights of the people, as well as further limited the rights of the king; written by the members of the English Parliament in 1689
limited government: a government that has been limited in power by a constitution, or written agreement
limited monarchy: a system of government in which the king or queen shares authority with an elected legislature and agrees to be bound by a constitution or a set of laws, also known as a constitutional monarchy
Magna Carta: a government document that limited the power of the king of England and protected the rights of the nobility; written by the English nobles in 1215
Mayflower Compact: an agreement between individuals that created a government that would provide order and protect the rights of the colonists; written by a group of English Puritans in Massachusetts in 1620
self-government: popular or representative system where the people create and run their own government
SS.7.C.1.9
citizen: a legal member of a state and/or country
law: a rule established by government or other source of authority to regulate people’s conduct or activities
rule of law: the idea that those who govern must follow the laws; no one is above the law
SS.7.C.3.12
executive privilege: the belief that the conversations between the president and his aides are confidential
United States v. Nixon: U.S. Supreme Court case that limited executive privilege