The American Revolution (VUS.5 - 2023)

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English Common Law

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Legal tradition based on precedent and judicial decisions; influenced colonial legal systems.

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Parliamentary System

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British form of government in which Parliament holds legislative power, influencing colonial political thought.

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Enlightenment

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18th-century intellectual movement emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights.

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Natural Rights

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Rights people are born with (life, liberty, property); central to Enlightenment and Revolutionary ideals.

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Consent of the Governed

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The idea that government gets its authority from the people’s approval.

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Social Contract

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Philosophical concept that people give up some freedom in exchange for government protection of rights.

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Ordered Liberty

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Freedom that is structured by laws to preserve peace and safety.

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Separation of Church and State

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Principle that government should not interfere with religious practices or institutions.

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Separation of Powers

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Dividing government into branches to prevent tyranny (inspired by Montesquieu).

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Patriots

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Colonists who supported independence from Britain.