1 Origins of American Government Vocabulary

An English document signed by King John in 1215 that instituted that “rule of law” and protected certain individual rights

• Declaration of Independence

• Magna Carta

• Mayflower Compact

• English Bill of Rights

An English document that limited monarchs power to enact laws, raise taxes, or keep an army without Parliament’s consent; guaranteed Parliament the privilege of free speech; and gave all people protection from cruel and unusual punishment

• Declaration of Independence

• Magna Carta

• Mayflower Compact

• English Bill of Rights

The first constitution of the United States

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Federalist Papers

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Mayflower Compact

"Ratify"

• To remove from power

• To disagree

• To enact a law

• To formally approve

Supporters of the Constitution

• Anti-Federalists

• Federalists

• Patriots

• Colonists

Opponents of the Constitution

• Anti-Federalists

• Federalists

• Patriots

• Colonists

Essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay to defend the Constitution

• The Bill of Rights

• Common Sense

• The Federalist Papers

• Magna Carta

A series of 10 amendments to the Constitution ratified by the states that protect such rights as freedom of speech, press, and religion, as well as due process protections

• The Bill of Rights

• The Federalist Papers

• The Preamble

• Magna Carta

The formal institutions and processes through which decisions are made for a group of people

• Republic

• Democracy

• Interest Groups

• Government

The concept that government gets its authority from the people and that ultimate political power remains with the people

• Popular sovereignty

• Republic

• Liberty

• Government