| A | B | 
| foundations | the basis on which something stands | 
| constitutional government | the system of fundamental laws and principles that presicribes the nature, functions, and limits of a government | 
| consent of the governed | the government's authority comes from the people | 
| limited government | the powers of government are limited by law | 
| rule of law | governments authority can only be exercised (used) in accordance of the law, no exceptions | 
| democracy | people are in charge of the government, either directly or indirectly (voting) | 
| representative government | form of democracy in which voters choose representatives to act for them | 
| significance | meaningful, important | 
| Charters of the Va. Company of London | Two companies that were given permission to plant a colony | 
| rights | refers to a legally, morally or traditionally just claim | 
| Va. Declaration of Rights | declaration of the rights of individuals and a call for independence from Britain | 
| George Mason | Wrote the Va. Declaration of Rights | 
| Grievences | perceived wrongdoing | 
| independence | not governed by a foreign power, self governing | 
| unalienable rights | absolute rights (inalienable) | 
| Articles of Confederation | first government of the US | 
| national government | government for all of the United States | 
| influence | power to sway or affect policy based on presitge, wealth, ability or position | 
| documents | original, official legal papers | 
| central government | same as national, make laws for the whole country | 
| Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom | Says that compulsory religion by a government is wrong | 
| Thomas Jefferson | wrote Va. Statute of Religious Freedom and Declaration of Independence | 
| opinions | a belief or conclusion held with confidence, but always backed with proof | 
| Bill of Rights | first ten amendments to the constitution | 
| equality | same under the law | 
| majority rule | the part of a group with the most votes | 
| minority | the smaller in number of two groups | 
| justice | fairness | 
| speech, press, religion, assembly, petition | First amendment freedoms | 
| preamble | the introduction to a document explaining its purpose |