| A | B |
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| CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED; LIMITED GOVERNMENT; RULE OF LAW; DEMOCRACY; AND REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT | Five fundamental political principles which are the foundation of our system of government. |
| CONSENT OF THE GOVERNED | Fundamental Principle: The government derives its authority from the people it governs. People are the source of any and all governmental power. |
| LIMITED GOVERNMENT | Fundamental Principle: A government is not all-powerful. It may do only those things people have given it the power to do. |
| RULE OF LAW | Fundamental Principle: Those who govern are bound by the law. |
| DEMOCRACY | Fundamental Principle: The “people rule”. |
| REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT | Fundamental Principle: The people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf. |
| CHARTERS OF THE VIRGINIA COMPANY OF LONDON; THE VIRGINIA STATUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM; THE VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS; THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE; THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION | Five documents that influenced our Constitution and our government. |
| CHARTERS OF THE VIRGINIA COMPANY OF LONDON | This document guaranteed colonists the same rights held by English citizens. |
| THE VIRGINIA DECLARATION OF RIGHTS | This document served as a model for the Bill of Rights |
| DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE | This document affirmed "certain unalienable rights," - life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness - and the idea that all people are equal under the law |
| ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION | This document provided for a weak central government with no power to tax or to enforce laws. It was soon replaced by the Constitution. |
| VIRGINIA STATUTE FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM | This document guaranteed freedom of religious beliefs and opinions. |
| CONSTITUTION (INCLUDING THE BILL OF RIGHTS) | This document established the structure of the U.S. Government. It guaranteed all people equality under the law, with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected. |
