| A | B |
|---|
| VA Declaration of Rights | document written by George Mason, states that all Virginians should have certain rights; became a basis for the Bill of Rights and the Constitution |
| government | the institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public services and enforces decision |
| Virginia Plan | written by James Madison, proposed a federal government of three separate branches and became the foundation for the structure of the new government |
| Bill of Rights | the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing individual rights and liberties |
| First Amendment | guarantees individuals the freedom of press, petition, speech, assembly and religion |
| state | a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government |
| direct democracy | government in which citizens vote on laws and operate the government themselves |
| indirect democracy | government in which citizens select representatives who will work on their behalf |
| monarchy | government in which a king or queen rules the country |
| dictatorship | government in which one leader has absolute control over citizens' lives |
| anarchy | the absence of government in a society |
| Magna Carta | agreement that helped restrict power of the monarchy in England |
| due process of law | the government must follow established rules and procedures in trials and other actions it takes against individuals |
| limited government | a system in which the power of the government is limited, not absolute; the government must also follow all rules |
| separation of powers | powers are granted to different branches of the government, in order to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful |
| natural powers | an idea from John Locke, that all people have certain rights from birth that may never be taken away |
| social contract | a theory in which government is a contract between government and the governed to provide protection and support for the people |
| sovereignty | ultimate, supreme power in a state |
| VA Statute for Religious Freedom | document written by Thomas Jefferson, states that all people should be free to worship as they please; a basis for the First Amendment |
| oligarchy | a government that is ruled by a small group of people |
| monarchy | a king or a queen rules the country |
| dictatorship | a form of government where one leader has absolute control over citizens' lives |
| direct democracy | citizens are directly involved in the day-to-day work of governing the country |
| theocracy | a state recognizes God as the ultimate authority, and focuses on religious laws and beliefs in the government |
