Vocab: Government and The Enlightenment

Absolutism

• A system where power is shared among the people

• Placing power totally or absolutely in the hands of a ruler and his or her advisors; the people in the society have no power.

• A form of government where laws are made by elected representatives

• A political system that promotes individual freedoms and rights

Declaration of Independence

• A document created by Thomas Jefferson that used Enlightenment ideas to separate from the colonies and England (Great Britain).

• A treaty signed to end the Revolutionary War between the colonies and France.

• A speech delivered by George Washington to rally support for independence.

• A collection of essays advocating for the rights of colonists under British rule.

Majority Rule

• An idea that represents most of the population

• A principle that allows a minority to dictate terms

• A method of decision-making that favors individual opinions

• A system where all votes are counted equally

Natural Law

• The belief that laws are created by governments and can vary by location.

• The idea that the law applies to everyone and could be understood through reason

• The concept that laws are only valid if they are enforced by the state.

• The principle that laws should be based on religious beliefs.

Limited government

• A government that is prohibited in certain activities; restricted by the people

• A government that has unlimited power over its citizens

• A government that only operates during certain hours

• A government that is controlled by a single individual

The Enlightenment

• A movement of the late 1600s and early 1700s characterized by the belief in the power of human reason and by new ideas in political, religious, and educational areas; also known as “The Age of Reason”

• A period marked by the decline of religious influence and the rise of superstition

• An era focused solely on scientific discoveries without any philosophical implications

• A cultural movement that emphasized the importance of tradition and historical context

Checks and Balances

• A theory that allows one branch of government to dominate the others

• A system that ensures all branches of government operate independently

• A principle that allows the branches of government to limit and control each other’s power

• A method for the government to increase its overall power

Natural Rights

• Rights granted by the government

• Rights belonging to all humans from birth

• Rights that can be taken away

• Rights only for citizens of a country

Unlimited government

• A government where the leader had absolute, total and unlimited power over the people

• A government that operates under strict laws and regulations

• A government that allows for free elections and civil liberties

• A government that is limited by a constitution and the rule of law

Monarchy

• A government ruled by a king or a queen

• A system where citizens vote on every issue

• A government led by a president

• A type of government with no central authority