Unit 1: Foundations of American Constitutional Government Vocab

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Democracy

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A system of government by the whole population, typically through elected representatives.

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Republic

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A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.

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Direct Democracy

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A form of democracy in which people decide on policy initiatives directly.

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Representative Democracy

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A type of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people.

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Citizenship

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The status of being a citizen, with associated rights and responsibilities.

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Magna Carta

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A charter of liberties agreed to by King John of England in 1215, foundational to the development of constitutional law.

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Virginia Company Charters

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Documents that granted rights to the Virginia Company to establish colonies in America.

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Enlightenment

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An intellectual movement emphasizing reason and individualism rather than tradition.

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John Locke

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An Enlightenment thinker known for his theories on natural rights and government by consent.

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Thomas Hobbes

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A philosopher known for his social contract theory and views on the necessity of a strong central authority.