Founding Documents Vocab 2
Terms
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- VIRGINIA STATUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
- Freedom of religious beliefs and opinions.
- ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
- Established the first form of national government for the independent states. Maintained that major powers resided with individual states. Weakness of central government (e.g. no power to tax and enforce laws) led to the writing of the Constitution. Guarantees equality under the law withmajority rule and rights of the minority protected. Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people. Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
- VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS
- Served as a model for the Bill of Rights to the Constitution of the United States of America. Written by George Mason.
- CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES
- Establishes the structure of US government. Guarantees equality under the law with.
- PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION
- Expresses reasons why Constitution was written. Establishes that the power of government comes from the people.
- DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
- Stated grievances against the King of Great King of Britain. Declared the colonies' independence from Great Britain. Affirmed "certain unalienable rights"(Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness). Established idea that all people are equal under the law
- LIMITED GOVERNMENT
- Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things people have given it power to do.
- REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT
- In a representative system of government, people elect office holders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf.
- DEMOCRACY
- In a democratic system of government, the people rule.
- PURPOSES OF THE CONSTITUTION
- To form a union, to establish justice, ensure domestic peace, and to provide defense
- CHARTERS OF THE VIRGINIA
- Rights of Englishmen guaranteed to the colonists.
- CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED
- People are the source of any and all government power.