The idea that government powers should be split between two or more strongly independent branches to prevent any one person or group from gaining too much power

The rights and liberties that all people have by virtue of being human

A political system in which government powers are restricted, usually by a written constitution

The opening paragraph of the U.S. Constitution; defines the broad purposes of the republican government created by the Constitution

Fairness in the way that people are dealt with; giving each person what he or she deserves

Peace and quiet at home

The power and authority to form military units to protect the country from its enemies

The health, peace, and safety of citizens

All future generations of people

Emphasized the principle of limited government by affirming that the king's power was not absolute (1628)

Reaffirmed the principle of individual rights, particularly the right to life, liberty, and property and trial by jury (1689)

a set of basic laws

the act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

the principle that the people are the ultimate source of the authority and legitimacy of a government