Principles of Government & Citizenship

Citizens give authority to the government in exchange for the protection of their rights.

• Consent of the Governed

• Democracy

• Limited Government

• Rule of Law

• Representative Government

Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do.

• Consent of the Governed

• Democracy

• Limited Government

• Representative Government

• Rule of Law

Everyone, including government officials, must follow the law.

• Consent of the Governed

• Democracy

• Limited Government

• Representative Government

• Rule of Law

The people rule.

• Consent of the Governed

• Democracy

• Limited Government

• Representative Government

• Rule of Law

The people elect public office holders to make laws and conduct government on the people's behalf.

• Consent of the Governed

• Democracy

• Limited Government

• Representative Government

• Rule of Law

Established for the first time the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law.

• Charters of the Virginia Declaration of Rights

• Declaration of Independence

• Magna Carta

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

Guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists.

• Articles of Confederation

• Charters of the Virginia Company of London

• Declaration of Independence

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

Served as a model for the U.S. Bill of Rights.

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

• Virginia Declaration of Rights

• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Stated grievances against the King of Great Britain.

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

• Magna Carta

• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

Established the first form of national government for the independent states.

• Articles of Confederation

• Charters of the Virginia Company of London

• Magna Carta

• Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom