Foundational Concepts and Documents in American Government (p1)

Front

Government power is restricted by laws and the Constitution

Back

Limited Government

Front

A system where people elect leaders to make decisions and laws for them.

Back

Republicanism

Front

A way of sharing power between the national government and the states.

Back

Federalism

Front

A system where each branch of government can stop the others from becoming too powerful.

Back

Checks and Balances

Front

Dividing government into three branches: legislative (makes laws), executive (carries out laws), and judicial (interprets laws).

Back

Separation of Powers

Front

The idea that the people have the power and give government its authority.

Back

Popular Sovereignty

Front

A document from 1215 in England that limited the king's power and helped start the idea of rule of law.

Back

Magna Carta

Front

Laws based on court decisions and customs rather than written codes, used in colonial America.

Back

English Common Law

Front

Documents from the King of England that gave permission to start the colony of Virginia and guaranteed rights to the colonists.

Back

Charters of the Virginia Company of London

Front

A document that listed the rights of Virginians; it helped inspire the U.S. Bill of Rights.

Back

Virginia Declaration of Rights