An insurrection carried out by 13 of Great Britain’s North American colonies that began in 1775 and ended with a peace treaty in 1783. The colonies won political independence and went on to form the United States of America.

Best known as a proponent of limited government. He uses a theory of natural rights to argue that governments have obligations to their citizens, have only limited powers over their citizens, and can ultimately be overthrown by citizens under certain circumstances.

A writer and revolutionary who published a pamphlet in January 1776 called Common Sense that is considered to have paved the way for the Declaration of Independence.

A constitutional law doctrine that divides the government into three branches, each with specific powers and responsibilities that the other branches cannot infringe upon

An official act taken by all 13 American colonies in declaring independence from British rule. Written by Thomas Jefferson.

An influential writer during the Enlightenment. He is famous for popularizing the idea of the separation of powers, or branched government.

A French philosopher who expanded on the social contract theory, emphasizing the importance of the common good. He argued that people are naturally free and equal and the role of the government is to serve the common good and protect the will of the people / their natural rights.

A theory that holds that individuals have certain rights–such as the rights to life, liberty, and property–in virtue of their human nature rather than on account of prevailing laws or conventions.

A country or area under the full or partial political control of another country, typically a distant one, and occupied by settlers from that country.

Thomas Jefferson did which of the following (select all that are correct)?