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Origins and Purposes of Government

Terms in this set (25)

Law of blood
at least one of your parents was a US citizen when you were born
law of soil
If you're born on U.S land you are automatically a citizen.
responsibility
something you should do to help the common good
democracy
government that is run by the people
federal
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments. system that the US has
confederal
a system of government where power is located with the independent states and there is little power in the central government
unitary
A government that gives powers to the central government
Magna Carta
first document that limited the power of the king of England
Mayflower Compact
1620 - The first agreement for self-government in America.
Common Sense
A pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that claimed the colonies had a right to be independent from England
rule of law
Everyone must follow the law; including government officials
French and Indian War
event that put England in debt and led to the King taxing the colonists
coercive/intolerable acts
the British government closed port of Boston until tea was paid for; reduced their powers of self-government, forced colonists of Massachusetts to house British soldiers and allowed British officers to be tried in England for crimes of violence.
Boston Tea Party
protest in which colonists dumped British tea into Boston Harbor. Led to the Coercive Acts
Madison
Father of the Constitution. Was influenced by Montesquieu's ideas of government
natural rights
life, liberty property. Laws are written to protect these rights and to protect the public good
checks and balances
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
separation of powers
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law
Grievances
complaints. The colonists' grievances were ignored by the British, which led to the Declaration of Independence
Articles of Confederation
the first constitution of the United States. Only had the legislative branch at the national level, and the Congress had no power to tax, which was the biggest weakness of the document.
Anti-Federalists
Against ratification of the constitution. Were afraid it would not give enough power to the states.
Purpose of taxes
needed to run a government. Used to help pay for social programs
Voting
making a choice in an election. Only citizens can vote
constitutional republic
another term for representative democracy. Form of government in the US
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution. Added as a compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
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